PortLiner welcomes the decision of the European Commission to select the “ACCEL BARGE” project for CEF funding

PortLiner welcomes the decision of the European Commission to select the “ACCEL BARGE” project for CEF funding.

“ACCEL BARGE” is a joint initiative of GVT/Barge Terminal Tilburg and PortLiner to accelerate the introduction of “zero emission” inland shipping.  “ACCEL BARGE” aims at building and bringing into operation a variety of all-electric inland barges - “Kempenaar”-sized multi-purpose vessels (52m x 6.7m) and 110m extra wide container barges (15m). The project’s scope includes the building and delivery of “E-Powerboxes”, containerized battery packs that will provide the propulsion energy for the ships.

The CEF funding will contribute strongly to speeding up the realization of the project and give real momentum to the electrification of inland waterway shipping in Europe.

Following the 2017 CEF award regarding PortLiner’s first “zero emission” inland shipping project (110m x 11.45m container vessels), good progress had been made, in particular with regard to the battery re-charging infrastructure.

Jointly with strong business partners and in good consultation with local and regional authorities a concept has been established that will allow for mass up-scaling of electric inland shipping.

Direct involvement of the key ports ensures  that an “open access” solution is developed that will be available for the inland waterway sector at large, enabling key areas in Europe to transition towards “zero emission” shipping.

External financing will be provided by a number of financial  institutions.