Zero emission inland shipping

Finance accelerator

Do you see opportunities in zero-emission shipping, but are struggling to secure financing? We are looking for shipowners, shipping companies and operators — with or without a concrete case. Through the financing accelerator, we work on cases that are economically viable, but where the financing is getting stuck.

From promising case to funding

Zero-emission sailing is financially closer for a section of inland shipping than is often thought. From our analysis for example, it appears that battery-electric navigation can already be competitive with diesel for certain operational profiles. Even so, financing often proves to be a major hurdle in practice. That is why Condor is focusing its funding accelerator for cases that are economically viable, but where the financing is not yet sorted out.

Within the financing accelerator, we look at the issue from multiple angles. Among other things, we look at:

  • Vessel profile and deployment
  • TCO and cash flow
  • Additional income such as EREs and CO₂ insetting
  • Guaranteed yield
  • Available subsidies
  • Risk structure of the financing. Both banks and alternative financiers will be involved in this

Thus we look for solutions that are more difficult to achieve individually and we advance a promising business case towards actual financing.

Financiering voor zero-emissie binnenvaartschip

Do you have a case study?

Condor ZE is looking for shipowners, shipping companies and operators who already have a concrete investment plan, but are unable to secure financing. Parties that do not yet have a developed case, but want to investigate whether zero-emission sailing is feasible for their ship, route or contract basis, can also apply. Get in touch with us to discuss your case.

Scope

We focus on the tank-to-wake phase: the energy available on board and how it is used for vessel propulsion. This includes fuel and energy carriers such as hydrogen, batteries and alternative fuels, as well as their conversion and use through technologies like fuel cells, batteries and electric motors.

*Condor defines zero-emission as zero emissions from propulsion.

More information?

Zero-emission boating

The pace varies per segment

Whether zero-emission sailing is feasible depends on the ship, sailing profile, energy requirement and the possibility of charging or swapping. For ships operating on short, fixed routes, the lifecycle costs of a (battery-electric) vessel are already close to those of diesel. For longer distances and heavier shipping, that point lies further in the future.

Hydrogen has potential for inland shipping and the technology is proven. However, the cost price is currently still high: only when production, infrastructure and scale develop further will hydrogen become a competitive alternative. This is particularly the case in longer and heavier shipping, where battery-electric has less reach. That is why we are already working on the standardisation of hydrogen tank containers.

Especially in that longer and heavier shipping sector, hydrogen remains part of the solution, which is why we are already working on the standardisation of hydrogen tank containers.

About Rianne de Vries

With in-depth knowledge of sustainable propulsion technologies, alternative fuels and infrastructure solutions for the inland navigation and maritime sector, I actively contribute in various ways to accelerating the transition to zero-emission transport. I use my experience in ports, maritime sector combined with a pramatic approach to create system conditions for large-scale sustainability of inland navigation.

About Renze Boersema

In this project, I focus on developing and validating the financial and strategic rationale for zero-emission boating. Specifically, I visualise the business case for both hydrogen and battery-electric solutions, with an eye for operational and economic feasibility. I also conduct discussions with banks to formulate clear financing requirements that match the specific characteristics of sustainable inland vessels. Finally, I provide an overview of available subsidy schemes and support options, so that the sector can make optimal use of incentives for sustainability.

About Johan Gille

From the Port of Rotterdam Authority, Johan focuses on a reliable, future-proof and sustainable waterway network. After all, inland shipping is the lifeline for the port. He has a broad network in government, provinces and inland ports and promotes the development and standardised deployment of instruments that governments can use to support the move to zero emission inland shipping.

About Irma Belgraver

Irma focuses on developing financing arrangements to support zero-emission shipping. From a strong network within the inland navigation sector, government organisations, industry associations and knowledge institutes, she initiates collaborations to strengthen the economic feasibility of sustainability. In the coming period, strategic options will be explored to optimise the business case.

About Eric Warners

Eric Warners worked in the port of Amsterdam for more than seven years on initiatives to make shipping and industry more sustainable. He has been involved with Condor since October 2024. Eric has always gericht on complex issues that can only be solved through (public-private) cooperation. For the past decade, his focus has been entirely on the maritime and industrial sectors.

About Wouter Vuijk

Within the Port of Rotterdam Authority, Wouter works on making inland navigation more sustainable, with a specific focus on the transition to emission-free sailing. At Condor, he supervises the process in which, in cooperation with the sector, technical standards are being developed. This removes an important threshold for this transition.