Rederij Doeksen has taken another step in greening its fleet. Since last week, cargo catamaran Noord-Nederland has been sailing with four new main engines and a new generator set. The ship now meets the Stage V emission standards for inland shipping.
The job was completed within seven weeks by partners Sandfirden Technics from Den Oever, HR Piping from Sumar and Piet Brouwer Elektrotechniek from Urk, together with the technical and nautical departments of Rederij Doeksen.
Maarten Schouwenaar, technical affairs manager: ‘Simply put, the newly installed selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system converts nitrogen oxide (NOx) into water vapour and nitrogen (without oxides, making it harmless). Specifically, that means a 95 per cent reduction in nitrogen oxide and 97-98 per cent in particulate matter compared to the old engines.’
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Towards a zero-emission ferry service
Rederij Doeksen director Dirk Spoor: ‘We are in the process of greening our fleet. In 2020 and 2021, we made great strides with the introduction of the two LNG catamarans. That already meant substantially lower emissions of particulate matter, SOx and NOx (sulphur and nitrogen oxide). The new engines of the MV Noord-Nederland are another great step forward, on the way to a zero-emission ferry service.’
For the realisation of this project, about EUR 304,000 was granted by the Dutch government from the Inland Vessel Sustainability Subsidy Scheme (Subsidieregeling Verduurzaming Binnenvaartschepen). This amounted to about fifty per cent of the total investment.
Noord-Nederland
Cargo catamaran Noord-Nederland was built and commissioned for Rederij Doeksen in 2002. At the time, it was the first cargo catamaran in Europe. In 2017, the vessel was extended by 20 metres.
Picture by Arn Hagen (supplied by Rederij Doeksen).
Also read: Doeksen takes LNG ferries largely out of service due to fuel prices
