The availability of zero-emission fuels infrastructure, including onshore electric power supply, will be key to enable greenhouse gas (GHG) zero-emission vessels and increase the competitiveness of IWT as a whole, at a time when other modes of transport are reducing their ecological footprint. To address this challenge PIANC Task Group (TG) 234 – ‘Infrastructure for the Decarbonisation of Inland Waterway Transport’ was set up in January 2021. Its main tasks were to identify knowledge gaps and major challenges that need to be urgently addressed and advise PIANC on further actions.
TG 234 compiled a course overview of key decarbonization developments at different scales (per continent, corridor, country and organisation that participated in the TG). Similarly, main developments for a number of promising energy carriers were compiled. To provide concrete handles for actors that face the challenge of developing (policies for) infrastructure for the decarbonization of IWT, a set of key questions is proposed. Additionally, a method is proposed that actors could apply to generate answers for these questions.
TG 234 recommends that PIANC should consider setting up a WG that focuses not on infrastructure hardware, such as dimensions and standards of bunkering stations, but rather on pathways and decision making for decarbonisation of IWT. A pathway is understood as a way to organise the transition from a fleet (existing and newbuilds) into a decarbonised fleet over a few decades. Design of the supporting infrastructure should subsequently be considered in the context of the selected pathway(s).
This report and its recommendation have been submitted to PIANC for further actions and future WG.
Prof. dr. ir. M. (Mark) van Koningsveld
INCOM TG 234 Chair
The report presents seven case studies that include one that offers lessons learned and six that provide recommendations for IW managers that are consistent with sustainable operations and maintenance of IW projects:
BEST PRACTICES
Case study 1: The Panama Canal: A Success Story of a Sustainable Waterway
Case study 2: Enhancing Existing Infrastructure at the Redman Point–Loosahatchie Bar Environmental Project near Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Case study 3: The Sigma Plan Flood Protection, Belgium
Case Study 4: Enhancing Existing Infrastructure at a Small Waterway in the Northern Part of Germany
Case study 5: Modernisation of the Scheldt Section Crossing Tournai, Belgium
Case study 6: Sustainably Managing the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (NHP) in Maryland, USA
LESSONS LEARNT:
Case Study 7: Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, Louisiana, USA: Example of an Unsustainable Waterway
