1. PIANC SMART RIVERS 2017, Pittsburgh
LNG, as new fuel for inland waterway transport (IWT) Unmet expectations and lessons learned
PIANC SMART RIVERS 2017, Pittsburgh
Benjamin BOYER
Technical Administrator

2. The Rhine as backbone of inland navigation in Europe
Regulatory framework for LNG deployment – achievements, Lessons learned
The Rhine as backbone of inland navigation in Europe
Multinational
Hinterland of major European ports
>50% international freight in corridor
2/3 of cargo carried by inland waterways in Europe
330 million tons/year
2 million TEU/year
tons fleet

3. Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (ccnr)
Regulatory framework for LNG deployment – achievements, Lessons learned
Central Commission for
the Navigation of the Rhine (ccnr)
Intergovernmental organisation, oldest in the world
5 Member States
Missions: Guaranteeing freedom of navigation and Promoting navigation on the Rhine
Leading regulator for inland navigation, with strong expertise in safety regulations (regulations binding for member states, model for EU and beyond)
Intensive cooperation with shipping industry, European Union, other countries, …

4. Starting point
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) = form of natural gas, predominantly methane
LNG promoted as environmentally friendly fuel
Expectations => Support innovation, sustainable development and competitiveness of inland waterways transport => Fuel as well as Cargo
Political objectives => breaking the oil dependence + target of 60% greenhouse gas emissions reduction by (EU Transport strategy 2011) => decarbonise transport + deployment of alternative fuels (in particular infrastructure) => simultaneous policies for reduction of local pollutants (PM, NOx)
Dynamic cooperation platforms => pilot projects
Strong support by largest gas companies

5. Maritime context ?

7. => Maritime sector needs LNG to be clean (NOx and SOx)

9. => More air pollutants to consider

10. LNG only just enough to comply to Stage V
(in particular NOx, PM, PN)

11. Focus: Sulfur emissions
Maritime (IMO)
Inland navigation (CCNR/EU)

12. Different environmental baselines
Maritime (IMO)
Inland navigation (CCNR/EU)
SOx reduction is not an issue for inland navigation. Ultra low sulfur fuel is mandatory (EN 590)
Different environmental baselines

13. Focus: Specific provisions for gas engines in EU Stage V
Hydrocarbon (HC) = 0,19 + 1,5 x A x gas energy ratio (GER)
Methane slip taken into account.
Additional step to regulate greenhouse gases => reinforce the difference between inland navigation and maritime sector.
Factor A fixed as 6,00 for inland navigation engines.
Research and development required : some dual fuel engines (diesel/LNG) can only achieve the value of 10,0
In the regulatory process, some experts suggested 3,0 as value (to be neutral in comparison of diesel).
EU foresees evaluation of the value before 2020.

14. Lessons learned
Take into account specificities => in-depth knowledge of the environment with pool of experts => need of awareness of differences between inland navigation and maritime sector
Do not overestimate benefits / do not underestimate costs of new technologies
Pilot projects => public funding requires facts reporting (avoid wishful thinking) => need of reliable emissions data

15. Various dimensions of LNG as regular fuel for IWT in Europe
Maturity of technology
Strong push from gas suppliers
Various dimensions of LNG as regular fuel for IWT in Europe
Economic effects (cost savings)
Avaibility of the infrastructure
Continuity of operation of the vessel
Legislations and standards
Environmental effects

16. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Benjamin Boyer
Administrator
Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR)
Palais du Rhin - 2, place de la République Strasbourg Cedex - France
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION