The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) recently introduced the Fuel Transition Roadmap for the shipping industry. Developed over the past year with input from over 150 stakeholders, the roadmap outlines strategic pathways to achieve climate-neutral shipping by 2050.
In its bid to lead globally in sustainable shipping, the Netherlands has set ambitious climate-neutrality targets for mid-century. Achieving these goals will require integrated, cross-sector collaboration across the maritime supply chain. The roadmap highlights the joint efforts of ports, shipowners, financial institutions, research bodies, and government agencies, setting the stage for a coordinated industry shift.
A more sustainable maritime industry
“The launch of this roadmap is a crucial step toward a more sustainable maritime industry,” commented Annet Koster, Director of the Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KVNR). Koster emphasized the urgency of expanding green fuel production, noting that progress has been slowed by the challenge of selecting the best options among multiple promising alternatives.
Low-emission alternative fuels
The roadmap not only takes essential steps to improve fuel efficiency within the Dutch maritime industry but also creates momentum for the Netherlands to lead in developing and producing low-emission alternative fuels. It identifies recent challenges in scaling production of such fuels, noting the industry’s continued reliance on fossil fuels, both for the domestic market and for international vessels bunkering in Dutch ports. With new European legislation aimed at promoting low-emission fuels—such as the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and FuelEU Maritime—the roadmap underscores the urgency for European ports to be capable of providing these fuels, positioning the Dutch market as a potential leader.
Coordination between public and private sectors
To support this transition, the roadmap suggests several measures that Dutch authorities can adopt to promote alternative fuels. These include incentives for producers, tax benefits for users, and collaborations with broader initiatives from the Dutch government and industry, especially with energy producers. Additionally, the roadmap’s new reporting requirements aim to enhance coordination between the government and the private sector, ensuring progress toward environmental and emissions targets and the availability of suitable fuels. This is in turn will assist shipowners and charterers to comply with EU legislation and emission guidelines and establish the Netherlands as a preferred provided of alternative fuels for the shipping sector.
A Dutch version of the roadmap is available on the website of the European Commission:
https://european-research-area.ec.europa.eu/documents/netherlands-roadmap-brandstoftransitie-zeevaart-2024