STAGE V ENGINE

Over the next two years, an additional 16 million euros in funding will be available for greener engines for inland vessels. That money is in addition to the already 10 million previously announced for this year. Secretary Harbers of Infrastructure and Water Management writes this in a letter to the House of Representatives.

The funding for making inland vessels more sustainable will receive a new injection with the extra millions. In fact, 2022 would be the last year of this arrangement. However, due to the great interest and transfer of the scheme, it will be extended. In addition, the maximum funding per application will increase from 200,000 euros to 400,000 euros.

The funding will be awarded to two different types of adjustments: skippers can either install an SCR catalyst to reduce nitrogen emissions or replace the engine with a greener Stage V engine. The engine replacement process is particularly popular. This year, the available 5.9 million euros ran out quickly, the money is spread over 44 ships. An additional 85 previously rejected applications will be honoured with the additional 10 million for 2022.

The minister had asked The Dutch Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) to investigate the effects of the funding. This resulted in the advice to increase the funding per application to 400,000 euros. This will also make the funding more attractive for larger ships from 2023. Skippers can also be reimbursed up to 40% of the costs.