The maritime industry in the Northern Netherlands is pooling knowledge and capabilities to take on the technological challenges and become a global player in ‘green’, clean shipping and digital shipbuilding.
A consortium of 21 technology developers, shipping companies, shipyards, suppliers, laboratories, universities of applied sciences and the University of Groningen is receiving a first European grant of €1.4m to support these developments. Initial project partners of the Green & Digital Maritime Innovation Ecosystem Northern Netherlands are: Conoship International, MSN, Holthausen Clean Technology, eCONOwind, Bouman Industries, Bijlsma Wartena, Doze Management, Koninklijke Niestern-Sander, Eekels Technology, Cadmatic, Wijnne & Barends’ Cargadoors- en Agentuurkantoren, Wagenborg Shipping, ROC Friese Poort, Stichting NHL Stenden Hogeschool, and Rijksuniversiteit Groningen.
The ‘Green Maritime Coalition’ was initiated by the Groninger Maritime Board and Conoship International, and is planning to lead the way in the transition to large-scale zero-emission shipping and digital shipbuilding. This process is aiming on industrial development and application of techniques such as hydrogen propulsion, VentiFoil-wind propulsion, Redox Flow full electric propulsion, Ship Based Carbon Capture and Storage and robotisation of production processes.
Guus van der Bles, Director Development, Conoship International, said: “The energy transition provides the innovative Northern Dutch maritime industry great opportunities to become a global player in developing and delivery of “green” technologies for clean shipping. Co-operation between technology developers, shipbuilders, ship-owners and knowledge institutes is essential for this, in combination with robotisation of ship-production to build the innovative zero-emission ships in the Northern Netherlands. The support from the Province, EFRO and SNN will stimulate this co-operation, and accelerate innovations and development in this region”.
Deputy of the Province of Groningen IJzebrand Rijzebol, handing over a cheque for €1.4m from the European Regional Development Fund (EFRO), said: “The maritime industry in the Northern Netherlands is innovative and strong and of great importance for employment. In the coming years, this industry will direct and make the transition to sustainable shipping. I am pleased that this challenge is being taken up in a unique collaboration between business and knowledge institutions. A Northern maritime innovation ecosystem could develop into an employment powerhouse.”
