From the magazine – Will there be thirty, 35 or even forty, as set out in previously announced ambitious plans, or rather a more realistic figure of 25 to thirty climate-neutral demonstration vessels due to be launched by 2030? At present, this remains unclear.
In every issue of SWZ|Maritime, SWZ|Maritime’s editor Antoon Oosting writes an opinion piece under the heading “Markets” about the maritime industry or a particular sector within it. In the June 2026 issue, he discusses the second call of the Dutch Maritime Master Plan. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher (the SWZ Foundation), the KNVTS, or other editors.
The Maritime Manufacturing Sector Agenda, published on 26 October 2023, now anticipates that the delivery of these climate-neutral ships will take place in the years 2030–33. Further research is first needed to determine which type of propulsion and which form of fuel is suitable for which type of vessel. That is the current state of play following the information day at the Maritime Masterplan Conference Call 2 on Thursday 28 May 2026 at Theater Landvast in Alblasserdam.
However, on that day, a further nineteen organisations came forward, wishing to set up projects in partnership with others to share the EUR 33.6 million available in the second call for grants from the National Growth Fund. In 2024, EUR 85 million had already been allocated in a first round. According to current plans, a further EUR 100 million or more is set to be allocated in a third call in 2029.
The closing date for applications for grants from the second call is Tuesday 3 November at 5.00 pm. A maximum of EUR 8 million is available per project, with a total of EUR 12 million for smaller projects and EUR 21.6 million for larger ones. The RVO (Netherlands Enterprise Agency) is expected to announce which projects have been successful on 16 February 2027. The project must have started no later than six months after this date.
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Three energy pathways
Applicants are required to form consortia comprising at least two independent parties. In the “frontrunners” call, the Maritime Masterplan focuses on three key energy sectors: hydrogen, methanol and carbon capture in LNG. The latter fuel is, of course, also of fossil origin, but carbon capture technology offers the possibility of reducing emissions by capturing CO2 and methane. In addition, funding is available for one project in the field of ammonia or bioethanol. The technologies mentioned must be integrated and demonstrated on civilian demonstration vessels.
For LNG, more than seventy per cent of CO2 must be captured. This builds on the current state of the art. For dual-fuel use of MGO with methanol, the methanol blend must be more than 75 per cent. In the case of hydrogen applications, research focuses primarily on hydrogen PEM fuel cell systems. Furthermore, research into hydrogen applications centres on systems that require no more than ten per cent diesel as a pilot fuel.
First call projects launched
The projects from the second call build on the experience gained from the first call. On 6 February last year, during the Masterplan’s festive networking event, the nine projects were presented which together will receive EUR 85 million in funding from the first call. These projects represent an important step towards the Netherlands’ ambition to be a global leader in maritime innovation. Most of the cooperation agreements between the consortia have now been signed.
During the event, the consortia’s spokespersons gave short pitches on their projects, in which they shared their vision and ambition. The selected projects focus on reducing CO2 emissions through carbon capture (ME2CC and Blue Horizon), hydrogen (Hydro Navis, Columbos Zero One, NERA-H2, H2ESTIA and H2 Gaasterland) and methanol (Moby NL and MethaNorms).
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Digital collaboration
Experience to date has shown that projects must be started on time. One of the key points is that the supply of alternative fuels must be guaranteed; otherwise, projects will fall apart. Digital collaboration is not a side issue. It is the glue that holds the collaboration chain together and accelerates innovation. Without shared data, there can be no cyclical innovation. Digital collaboration makes a lasting contribution to the maritime sector.
‘What you are building now is a lasting asset for the Dutch maritime manufacturing industry,’ says Fokke van der Veen, programme manager at The Dutch Maritime Network (Nederland Maritiem Land). According to him, digital collaboration offers the opportunity to design and build more quickly, reduce errors and failure costs, and collaborate more effectively throughout the supply chain. Digital collaboration is also a key assessment criterion for securing a grant.
Coherent calls
The second and third (2029) calls also focus on future-proof, climate-neutral energy pathways. These open calls are intended to further develop, demonstrate, evaluate and scale up successful energy pathways from the first call. The three calls form a coherent whole and are designed to support a phased process, in which the broad range of technical possibilities is gradually refined to identify the most promising and effective solutions.
‘This second call shows that the energy transition in the maritime sector is entering its next phase,’ says Astrid Kee, programme director of the Maritime Masterplan. ‘With this scheme, we are giving consortia the opportunity to actually demonstrate innovative technologies on and aboard ships. It is precisely by working together on scalable solutions that we are strengthening the international competitive position of the Dutch maritime manufacturing industry and taking concrete steps towards zero-emission shipping.’
Two phases
A call-2 project consists of two phases. The first phase covers design and development and may last for a maximum of three years. In phase 2, the findings must be demonstrated and monitored. The maximum duration is six years and the project must be completed by 31 July 2033.
When awarding grants, extra points can be earned if a project makes a significant contribution to the current state of the art; if the approach to demonstrating the system’s effectiveness and reliability is improved; if the scalability and revenue model for the strategic sub-markets are greater; if supply chain collaboration and Dutch involvement are greater; and if it contributes to cooperation within the sector.
A good project:
- makes an effective contribution to reducing emissions;
- combines development and demonstration;
- involves collaboration across the entire Dutch maritime supply chain – comprising the manufacturing industry, shipowners and knowledge institutions throughout the entire lifecycle of development, construction, operation and refit;
- results in reliable, modular energy systems;
- is scalable to our strategic end markets of coastal and inland shipping, hydraulic engineering, offshore wind, maritime safety and services;
- reduces costs and, through maximum Dutch involvement, strengthens our revenue model across the entire life cycle and our export position;
- utilises digital collaboration and contributes to its development and implementation, for example through digital twins or the contribution of use cases; and
- contributes to the sharing of accumulated knowledge and lifelong learning within the maritime sector.
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Electric shipping in seaports
A separate subsidy scheme has been launched to encourage electric shipping in seaports. Since 19 May, owners of seagoing vessels operating in Dutch seaports have been able to apply for a subsidy towards the purchase of batteries and any necessary charging infrastructure. Up to fifty per cent of the costs can be covered. The main aim of this pilot scheme is to reduce nitrogen deposition in nature reserves around the coast and seaports. It also reduces other emissions and helps to gain experience. The call for applications closes on 10 September.
Those currently applying for funding in the second call include:
- EST-Floattech, which is working on the further development of electric propulsion systems;
- NGM (Next Generation Machinery), which is developing green methanol-powered vessels;
- Nedstack Fuel Cell Technology is looking for a partner wishing to operate fully electric vessels powered by hydrogen or methanol;
- InnoTractor is seeking partners who wish to exchange maritime data securely without losing control;
- NPS Driven aims to develop an engine powered by hydrogen or methanol;
- Marine Service Noord is interested in developing pressure tanks for alternative fuels;
- Shipsonic is looking for a consortium to combat fouling on ships more effectively;
- Sustainable Motion wants to build digital twins;
- the Nederlandse Innovatie Maatschappij (Dutch Innovation Society) is looking for a partner wishing to operate a dual-fuel methanol engine with an innovative after-treatment system;
- Corvus Energy is looking for partners to perfect battery and fuel cell systems;
- Weforsea is looking for partners to launch innovative projects for carbon-neutral operations; Wärtsilä Marine is seeking partners for demonstration projects for sustainable shipping (zero-emission);
- AlbatrosDigital aims to optimise zero-emission marine technologies through digitalisation;
- DNV is seeking parties wishing to perfect carbon capture; and
- TNO and MARIN, as research organisations, are offering to support projects.
Cartoon by Hans de Wilde/SWZ|Maritime.
