Improving sustainability for waterborne transport

The EU has highlighted inland waterway transport as an important sustainable mode to help Europe reach its ecological goals. Under the Green Deal, a key objective is a 90% reduction in transport-related greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and even zero emissions on inland waterways, notably in urban and port areas.

The Mannheim Declaration

The inland waterway industry has developed its own roadmap for carbon reduction.
The so-called Mannheim Declaration signed in 2018 pledges to:

• reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollutant emissions by 35% compared with 2015 by 2035,
• largely eliminate greenhouse gases and other pollutants by 2050.

It will work to achieve these goals within the European Union framework.

Who’s leading the European project?

The EU-funded PLATINA3 project is in charge of coordinating activities to promote inland waterway transport in Europe. It is also charged with the implementation of the EU Green Deal in the EC inland waterway action programme, known as NAIADES.

The advisory board of PLATINA3 includes important industry bodies such as the European Barge Union (EBU), the European Federation of Inland Ports (EFIP), and the transport ministries of most EU member countries.

Creating a European energy index

The NAIADES Action Plan 3 is currently working towards a methodology to assess carbon intensity levels for inland waterways vessels in order to create an official EU energy index.

This would be similar to the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and Energy Efficiency Operational Indicator (EEOI) used for deep sea vessels.

The primary focus is on vessel characteristics that will reduce pollution and carbon intensity, while increasing vessel efficiency.

Helping shipowners navigate the sustainability path

In this sometimes confusing landscape, Bureau Veritas is here to support vessel owners minimize their environmental impact and comply with future regulations.

This means analysing the best path to environmental compliance through the careful choice of more sustainable fuels and alternative propulsion methods, including thermal engines, fuel cells and batteries, and hybrid installations.

The Green Line

Bureau Veritas Solutions Marine & Offshore provides consulting services to achieve future sustainability using energy efficiency studies.

Our experts assess hull performance and efficiency based on the real operating conditions of the vessel, carrying out precise energy modelling and performance prediction on real-life inland waterways.

Our dedicated BV Green Line service helps clients implement, measure and achieve their sustainability objectives.

A wide range of additional sustainability services are also available to support clients including: impact monitoring, emissions reduction, vessel optimization and modification.
We are pleased to play our part in protecting rivers and lakes, their inhabitants and the environment.

Sustainability initiatives emphasize the protection of aquatic life and habitats, promoting biodiversity and limiting climate impact.

Bureau Veritas is here to help shipowners navigate the challenges of developing more sustainable vessels, and identify a clear pathway to environmental compliance.