Resilience Promoting Autonomous Zero-Emissions Barges
One of ReNEW’s key pillars is that a fleet of smaller and increasingly automated vessels will inherently increase the resilience of the overall infrastructure.
This living lab proposes to use an autonomous CEMT class 4 barge (the X-barge) to demonstrate and test the improved resilience of the IWT infrastructure. It will use a disruptive barge concept, combining digitisation, alternative propulsion, and autonomy.
In combination with LL1, this LL4 will complement automation to longer international routes and different, larger-size logistics.
Scenario
The new barge will be used to test its physical effects on the waterways, actual energy use vs larger vessels, the provisions of the required infrastructure and prove its economic competitiveness on waterways from Ghent (Belgium) to Duisburg (Germany), passing through the Netherlands.
Specifically, the proposed transit is from Gent to Antwerpen to Alblasserdam to Nijmegen to Duisburg. This means passing through waterways managed and controlled by 3 countries: Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.
News from Living Lab 4
November 2024
Living Lab 4 has achieved significant milestones in the development of the X barge, paving the way for the next steps in the vessel’s construction. The design phase has advanced sufficiently to enable shipyards to provide pricing estimates, with final design modifications being incorporated based on previous operational experience.
Multiple shipyards were initially contacted for quotes on building the X barge, with the list now narrowed to three candidates who are in the final stages of both selection and pricing. Key technical aspects, such as propulsion systems and remote-control technologies, have been rigorously examined to support the final decision.
A detailed analysis conducted by the Flanders Hydraulics Institute assessed the X barge’s performance and energy requirements, particularly in constrained and shallow waters. This analysis encompassed the entire route from North Sea Ports to Duisburg, confirming expected energy needs and performance parameters. Additionally, ongoing meetings with regulatory stakeholders from different operational zones have facilitated a cohesive approach to ensuring compliance and operational efficiency.
Discussions and technical exchanges with battery producers and potential suppliers are in progress, with potential sites identified for the necessary infrastructure. Negotiations with Danser, the prospective time charterer for the X barge, are nearing completion. Funding discussions are also underway, with both chartering and financing anticipated to be finalized by the end of 2024.
Living Lab 4 team assessing the X barge’s performance and energy requirementsMarch 2024
In the past six months the ReNEW partner and Living Lab 4 leader – Zulu Associates has been actively preparing to provide the X-barge, an autonomous low to zero emission dry bulk/container inland barge in order to respond to the demand for new inland vessels to replace the existing fleet of traditional barges (see animation below).
On the one hand, negotiations and discussions have been initiated with the relevant authorities such as De Vlaamse Waterweg, de Rijkswaterstaat and the CCNR. The port stakeholders including North Sea Ports and Port of Duisburg have also been added in the loop of consultations.
On the other hand, the design of the X barge is almost complete and final discussions are underway with the providers of the on-board systems. Shipyards have been contacted and they will be requested to provide quotes for the construction which is coming up in the next phase.
As for the design of the hull, a lot of attention has been given to the energy efficiency operation in both normal and constrained waters, and the test calculations using CFD have already been done. The next phase will involve tow tank tests with a model of the vessel.
September 2023
In the recent period, Living Lab 4 has progressed further and several outcomes have been achieved. The design of the X barge has advanced and the construction plans are in full development. Starting from the Grant Agreement plans, actual steel parts design needs to be done and the practical workings of the technical parts need to be finalised so that the shipyard has a full set of plans with a list of materials. This is developed in a loop process, which is now underway.
The Flanders Hydraulics Institute has been contracted to execute the necessary analyses on the performance of the barge in constrained and shallow waters. This will give data that will be researched during the living lab.
All the potential stakeholders of the regulatory context have been identified and meetings are being planned in late 2023 to engage with these stakeholders for using the vessel in their respective zones. A common approach is being developed in order to achieve efficiency.
Negotiations and technical exchanges are underway with the two potential providers of batteries along the proposed route. This entails determining the sites, the necessary infrastructure for loading/unloading and the specifications of the batteries. Negotiations with Danser as the time charterer of the X barge are in the final stages and appropriate time charter contracts are in final redaction.
Partners involved
