Rotterdam, E.ON and DeltaPort launch eco-inland initiative

The Rotterdam Port Authority, E.ON and DeltaPort Niederrheinhafen have agreed to develop an efficient and environmentally-friendly network of inland shipping in Europe.

A statement from Rotterdam Port Authority said the parties will “create conditions conducive to switching inland shipping in Germany and Europe from diesel to battery and/or hydrogen drives”.

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To do that it will develop an infrastructure so that freight ships with climate-neutral propulsion can exchange battery containers or refuel hydrogen in the ports.

Rotterdam Port Authority will contribute its logistics expertise and insight into the sustainable transportation of freight.

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It will ultimately work towards its goal to make the transportation of goods between the Port of Rotterdam and the European hinterland carbon-neutral by 2050.

The parties’ said their long-term goals include climate protection, improved air quality and the optimization of logistics costs.

They will launch a pilot concept on the German inland DeltaPort location in Voerde and Wesel, in the North Rhine Westphalia (NRW) region of Germany, which will be developed into a sustainable port network.

Emile Hoogsteden, Vice President of the Rotterdam Port Authority commented: “Barge shipping between NRW and Rotterdam plays an important role.

“Both regions want to make transport more sustainable. Our cooperation is crucial in order to achieve concrete results in the coming years.”