Pushboat design considerationsfacing climate change
Conference/JournalMARIN Report 131
Date7 Apr 2021
Pushboat operators, especially those operating on the rivers, face the transition to zero emission propulsion in combination with longer periods of low water. This results in conflicting design specifications. By combining different disciplines, MARIN is extending the scope of its design support to cope with this challenge.
In recent years low water levels along the Rhine have hindered navigation significantly. In parallel, operators need to switch to reener fuels. However, this means extra volume and/or weight is added for the energy storage and conversion. This is a major challenge given the dimensional constraints of these vessels.
In recent years low water levels along the Rhine have hindered navigation significantly. In parallel, operators need to switch to reener fuels. However, this means extra volume and/or weight is added for the energy storage and conversion. This is a major challenge given the dimensional constraints of these vessels.
Contact
Nicole van Spronsen
Project Manager
further development of technologies REQUIRED
MARIN investigated this subject studying two existing pushboats (40 m and 22.5 m), their operational profile and the minimum autonomy required (range without bunkering). By applying the Ship Power and Concept design tool a shortlist of possible energy carriers was deducted. Applying biodiesel and bioLNG reduces Green House Gas (GHG) emissions with available technologies, but less than required in 2030.
Autonomy per energy carrier