On 4 December 2024, the European IWT Platform hosted the Second PLATINA4Action Technology Transfer Workshop (TTW) on the Greening of the Inland Waterway Fleet at the premises of the University of Antwerp. This workshop, part of the PLATINA4Action project series of five, follows the first TTW held in Gorinchem on 30 May 2024. The series will continue in April 2025 in Duisburg, Germany.
The workshops, designed to facilitate knowledge exchange and showcase advancements in sustainable inland waterway transport, bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators. For more information about previous and upcoming workshops and events under the Platina4Action project, visit the events section of the project website.
PLATINA4Action and SYNERGETICS
The workshop, organised in collaboration with the Innovation Action SYNERGETICS project, opened with remarks by Janeta Toma, General Manager of the European IWT Platform, who officially launched the event. This was followed by an overview of the PLATINA4Action and SYNERGETICS projects, presented by Martin Quispel from EICB.
Morning Session: National and Regional Strategies for Greening the inland waterway fleets
The workshop’s morning session explored strategies for greening inland waterway transport in Belgium and France, featuring key policies, financial incentives, and collaborative frameworks.
Wallonia’s Financial Support for Fleet Modernisation
Marc Delaude from the Service Public de Wallonie (SPW) highlighted Wallonia’s Plan 2021-2025 d’aides aux modes de transport alternatifs à la route, which provides up to 50% subsidies for clean propulsion technologies, capped at €200,000 per project. The plan also supports logistical innovations and vessel acquisitions for SMEs. However, uptake has been modest due to high investment costs and limited availability of mature technologies.
Flemish Green Deal for Inland Shipping
Christophe Bruglemans of De Vlaamse Waterweg presented the Green Deal Binnenvaart, a framework aligned with the European Green Deal. It aims to make green technologies accessible, implement multi-fuel infrastructure, and create systems for emissions measurement and reporting. The initiative fosters collaboration among stakeholders to address barriers and promote sustainable solutions.
France’s Strategy for Fleet Decarbonisation
Cécile Cohas and Augustin Henon of Voies Navigables de France (VNF) discussed the country’s efforts to green its inland navigation fleet. The Plan d’Aides à la Modernisation et à l’Innovation de la Flotte Fluviale (PAMI) supports projects such as electrification, hybridisation, and hydrogen propulsion systems, including notable innovations like the hydrogen-powered Zulu 06. VNF’s initiatives also focus on biofuel adoption, developing port infrastructure for alternative energy distribution, and supporting innovative pilot projects under PAMI’s €60 million budget for 2023-2027
These presentations highlighted the importance of coordinated national and regional efforts in advancing the decarbonisation of inland waterway transport while addressing financial, regulatory, and technological challenges.
SYNERGETICS Project’s Catalogue
The second Morning Session spotlighted the SYNERGETICS Project’s Catalogue, introduced by Igor Bačkalov from DST. Designed to help stakeholders identify suitable retrofit technologies, the catalogue covers solutions ranging from electrification to hydrogen propulsion and hydrodynamic improvements. Bačkalov emphasised the importance of tailoring solutions to vessel types and operational contexts to maximise impact.
Technologies Showcase
The afternoon featured a technology showcase that brought theoretical discussions into practical focus. Lucas Haag of Zero Emission Services (ZES) presented a case study on battery-electric propulsion, demonstrating how swappable modular energy containers are powering zero-emission corridors in the Netherlands. The session underscored the potential of batteries to transform short-haul inland shipping routes.
Discussions then turned to a dense session on biofuels, with Sophia van Stijn (PTC), Steve Labeylie (Sogestran Group), and Tim Peeters (De Wit Bunkering NV), Wilco Volker (ELV) highlighting the readiness and efficiency of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as a drop-in alternative fuel. Finally, hydrogen-powered solutions took the stage, with Ahmed Khalil (Sogestran Group) and Milinko Godjevac (Future Proof Shipping) showcasing advancements in fuel cells and hydrogen combustion engines.
Closing Reflections and Future Directions
The day concluded with a summary of key takeaways from Janeta Toma:
‘“The workshop has shown that the framework conditions for greening inland waterway transport are in place, thanks to significant efforts from both the public and private sectors. Public initiatives, like financial incentives and policy frameworks, are complemented by innovative solutions from technology providers and industry leaders. It’s clear that collaboration is key to addressing remaining challenges and driving forward sustainable progress.”
Collaboration emerged as a recurring theme, with speakers stressing the need for stronger partnerships between governments, industry, and research institutions. Continued financial support and regulatory alignment were identified as critical enablers for scaling sustainable technologies across the sector.
About the PLATINA4Action Project
The Platina4Action project, funded under the Horizon Europe programme, serves as a coordination and support action to drive innovation and strategic coordination in the inland waterway transport (IWT) sector. Running from January 2024 to December 2026, the project contributes to the European Union’s Green Deal objectives by promoting zero-emission technologies and fostering a modal shift from road to inland waterways. Platina4Action closely collaborates with key stakeholders, including DG MOVE, Member States, international river commissions, and industry representatives, to align its activities with EU transport policies. For more details, visit the Platina4Action website.
