More than €100 million available: now is the time to decarbonise shortsea vessels

For Dutch shortsea shipowners, more than €100 million in subsidies will be available in the coming years to support the decarbonisation of seagoing vessels. But subsidies alone do not make a vessel future-proof. The technical choices made today will have a significant impact on what a vessel can do and what it will be permitted to do in the decades ahead.

For shipowners looking to reduce their environmental impact, now is the time to turn their plans into concrete projects. Ultimately, decarbonisation is not about a solution that looks good on paper, but about a vessel that can continue to operate safely, reliably and economically in practice. The key question is how to ensure that a newbuild or retrofit project remains economically viable not only today, but also ten or twenty years from now.

When a shipowner decides to replace a vessel or decarbonise an existing fleet, the process usually starts with a business case. What will the investment cost? What fuel costs can be expected? And what will this ultimately mean for operating costs per tonne-mile? Available subsidies can be an important part of this business case.

The Dutch government has made a total of €102.8 million available for this purpose. The subsidy can cover up to 40% of eligible costs and is available for both newbuild and retrofit projects. Even with financial support, however, decarbonisation remains a strategic decision in which technology, operations and finance are closely interconnected.

From business case to reality

A positive business case on paper does not automatically mean that a project will be successful in practice. Shipowners therefore need clear answers to a number of crucial questions before moving forward.

• Is the chosen technology technically feasible for the vessel and its operating profile?
• What modifications are required on board?
• Where and how can the selected fuel be bunkered?
• What safety aspects need to be considered?
• Can the crew operate the new system safely and efficiently?
• How will it be monitored whether the expected savings are actually being achieved?

It is precisely these practical and operational aspects that ultimately determine whether a decarbonisation project is successful, not only on paper but also in practice.

The experience of Marine Service Noord

Marine Service Noord supports shipowners in addressing these technical and operational challenges. The scheme allows for a range of technical solutions, including propulsion systems for hydrogen, (renewable) methanol and dual-fuel applications. Marine Service Noord has experience in designing, building and integrating these different fuel and propulsion systems and supports shipowners in translating these concepts into technically feasible solutions on board.

With experience in HAZID studies, among other areas, MSN can assess the technical and financial feasibility at an early stage, including an estimate of the required CAPEX.

Support throughout the entire lifecycle

The implementation of a new fuel system does not end when the vessel is delivered. MSN looks beyond the technical installation itself. Crew training, remote support and monitoring of fuel and energy efficiency are also part of the support provided.

This helps shipowners not only to implement new propulsion technologies safely and effectively, but also to make optimal use of these systems and manage energy consumption. MSN remains involved after delivery, providing direct technical support and practical aftersales services to ensure that questions and technical issues are addressed quickly.

Ready to explore the possibilities?

For shipowners looking to decarbonise an existing shortsea vessel, or those at the start of a newbuild project, this represents a unique opportunity to make decarbonisation projects more financially attractive.

However, the choice of a new propulsion system or alternative fuel system is not determined by subsidies alone. Marine Service Noord works alongside shipowners to assess technical feasibility, system integration and the practical execution of decarbonisation projects.

From concept and basic design, including HAZID, and detailed engineering through to production, installation, commissioning, crew instructions and aftersales support.