Rijkswaterstaat, Heijmans, and Martens en Van Oord have introduced the innovative Volta work vessel. The fully electric vessel will be used for waterway maintenance in the eastern region of the Netherlands.
At this scale, it is the first completely emission-free work vessel in the Netherlands and stands as a showcase for the transition toward climate-neutral and circular infrastructure.
The Volta will be deployed for groyne and bank maintenance, as well as small-scale dredging on the Upper Rhine, Waal, and Maas–Waal Canal. The vessel was developed through the “Clean and Emission-Free Construction” programme (Schoon en Emissieloos Bouwen). The Volta is a concrete result of ambitious sustainability requirements, innovative collaboration between government and industry, and targeted financial support. Its operation will reduce CO2 emissions by approximately fifty per cent compared to current fuel consumption.
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Driving sustainable innovation
‘The Volta shows how we can put our sustainability ambitions into practice,’ says Joost de Ruig, Chief Engineer-Director (HID) for Northern Netherlands and acting HID for Eastern Netherlands at Rijkswaterstaat. ‘Through ambitious tenders, long-term contracts, and close cooperation with market players, we’re accelerating the transition to climate-neutral and circular operations. This vessel is not only a first, but also an example of what is already possible for emission-free work.’
For the construction sector, the arrival of the Volta marks an important step toward an emission-free future. Erik van Ooijen, Operations Manager at Heijmans: ‘With this fully electric work vessel, we are taking a joint step toward more sustainable infrastructure. It’s possible when we truly collaborate across the chain, dare to innovate, and take action.’
‘Sustainable operations are a basic requirement for us,’ adds Maarten Spronk, Director of Martens en Van Oord. ‘We want to make a significant contribution to decarbonising the civil and marine engineering market. This requires substantial investment, but thanks to Rijkswaterstaat’s policies and the support they provide, we can achieve our innovative ambitions.’
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Cleaner and quieter
The deployment of the Volta in Eastern Netherlands gives a major boost to the sustainability of daily waterway maintenance along the Upper Rhine, Waal, and Maas–Waal Canal. The emission-free vessel means reduced CO2 and nitrogen emissions, quieter operations along riverbanks, and a healthier environment for nearby communities. For residents along the river, the difference will be noticeable: the Volta combines essential maintenance work with cleaner air and less noise.
For the marine construction sector, the Volta represents a technological breakthrough. The vessel is fully electric and features innovative design elements, including multifunctional use as a workboat, pusher tug, and self-propelled power bank. The business case was made possible through the Clean and Emission-Free Construction programme, demonstrating that large-scale zero-emission innovations are both viable and scalable.
The lessons learned from this project will be shared within Rijkswaterstaat and across the sector in the coming years, enabling wider application of this innovation in future maintenance contracts and projects.
Picture by Martens en Van Oord.
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