Abstract:

... Once in operation, the ship will be suitable for inland navigation as well as for sea navigation to allow direct transport routes. The company is looking for partners for the next Marco Polo call.

DESCRIPTION:

The German company intends to strengthen the usage of ship transport with a focus on inland waterways, because even it is the most environmental friendly transport mode, only 5% of the goods are transported by ship in the European Union. The core of the project is an intermodal logistic concept employing a new type of ship with the dimensions of an inland
vessel and the technical requirements of a sea-going vessel. Once in operation, it will be suitable for inland navigation as well as for sea navigation. It is part of a Logistic Concept that combines the application areas of sea transport and inland waterway transport to a comprehensive
system.

The ship - in combination with the Logistic Concept - will be most beneficial for seaports that lack adequate transport connections to the hinterland. Several seaports in Europe belong to this category, e.g. the new Jade-Weser-Port in Wilhelmshaven, Germany. Due to the absence of
manufacturing businesses in the region most of the incoming goods have to be transported to destinations that are far away from the Jade-Weser-Port. In this situation an appropriate goods distribution network in the hinterland is inevitable for the operation of the port.

Direct transport routes over long distances, e.g. from Vienna to London or from Gdansk to Paris, will be possible. A pre and post-carriage ashore will be necessary only for short distances. Specially designed intermodal terminals will allow a direct transshipment of goods from large
intercontinental sea vessels to the new ship and further to road or rail, if necessary.

This will make the transport a lot more reliable and cost- as well as time-effective. The time-consuming transshipment between the different modes of transport can be minimized with the intended Concept. A transport chain with the least uncertainties can be created. This is also beneficial for transport companies that target to be able to plan the transport of their goods very precisely.

The company is looking for partners for the next Marco Polo call.

Innovations:
·   Improved Hull design: A specially designed hull shape will reduce the fuel consumption and increase speed and shallow water abilities of the ship.

·   Propulsion system: more propulsive power than an inland vessel will be needed. A propulsion system that is strong enough for the open sea needs to fit into the limited space of an inland vessel hull while addressing shallow water optimisation.

·   Sustainability: The new ship will set new standards for sustainability. The availability of ultra-low sulphur fuel is still limited in many places. Latest emission reduction techniques will be supplied. Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) will reduce the NOx emissions by 95% and a
Diesel particulate filter will keep 90% of the soot particles. Apart from that the ship will gain electricity from renewable energy sources.

Development stage : Idea

European   funding   source(s) :   FP7 - Co-operation, Transport (including aeronautics), Other European funding

Type   of Project:   FP7 Collaborative Research

Keywords : Transport Infrastructure (002008), Transport and Shipping
Technologies (002009), Design of Vehicles (002009001), Shipbuilding
(002009005), Building Materials, Components and Methods (002006001)

Organisation type   : Company

Organisation size : <50

Other details :   A small German engineering company

Target partner organisation type(s)   : SME (<250 employees), Large Company,
University, Research/Technology Centre, Other

Target partner expertise sought :   scientific institutions, marine
engineering companies, transport companies

non-road transport sector, marine sector

Application domains : Transport, ENVIRONMENT, Environment protection