‘By investing in smaller green vessels with fixed or swappable battery packs, and simultaneously rolling out a network of charging stations at key locations along inland waterways, we can prevent a cargo market of 40 million tonnes from shifting to road transport due to a shortage of small vessels,’ says Chris Kornet, CEO of Concordia Damen Shipbuilding.
Kornet advocates the introduction of schemes that provide additional incentives for newbuilds up to 86 metres and for electric sailing.
Each year, dozens of small vessels leave the fleet due to scrapping. Kornet considers it a positive step that the government is granting Spitses, Kempenaars and Dortmunders a permanent exemption from technical requirements. ‘This will slow the decline, but it will not stop it. A better approach would be to restart newbuilding up to 86 metres (and a few slightly larger types) through a replacement scheme. As of 2025, virtually all newbuilds are 110 metres or longer.’
Also read: Amer Shipping orders CDS 110 from Concordia Damen
Subsidy for battery packs
The Werkendam-based shipbuilder welcomes the fact that the government will soon subsidise fixed battery packs. This creates new opportunities for smaller vessels to operate electrically (zero-emission or hybrid) on shorter routes.
Concordia Damen has several electric dry cargo vessels and tankers of 86 metres on the drawing board. With today’s fixed onboard battery capacity, these vessels can sail 300 to 400 km per day and recharge overnight. The same applies to dredgers, barges and crane vessels.
Also read: Concordia Damen delivers tanker to Gambler Shipping
Battery containers and HVO
At the same time, Kornet calls for faster expansion of the ZES container network by allowing swappable ZES battery packs to remain on board as fixed units and be charged there. ZES (Zero Emission Services) is continuing to build its ecosystem for sustainable inland shipping, consisting of swappable battery containers and a network of open-access charging and swap stations along various routes.
Vessels that need to cover longer distances can supplement fixed battery packs with HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil), hydrogen or methanol solutions. ‘This will give a new boost to decarbonisation in inland shipping and ensure we are still in time to prevent cargo from shifting to road transport,’ Kornet concludes.
Also read: Concordia Damen starts major refit for Reederei Deymann
Exploring opportunities
Concordia Damen urges the government to promote electric sailing far more strongly than it currently does and invites inland shipping entrepreneurs to jointly explore subsidy opportunities under the new Energy Transition Scheme 2026 (Early Scale-Up) and the second call of the Maritime Masterplan.
Picture: Concordia Damen CEO Chris Kornet calls for faster expansion of the ZES container network among other things (photo by Concordia Damen).
