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In the Netherlands, some seven inland vessels are to be fitted with measurement instruments in a trial initiative to record onboard emission levels.

The trial forms part of the 'Continuous On-Board Analysis and Diagnosis' (COBALD) Green Deal, which was signed by the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment, Schultz van Haegen, the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, Henk Kamp, the Port of Rotterdam Authority and various organisations involved directly or indirectly in inland shipping.

The objective of the COBALD initiative is to improve the environmental impact of the inland shipping sector. It allows inland vessels to measure their own energy consumption and emissions, and to then use this data to make improvements in terms of fuel efficiency and emissions reduction.

The initiative is targeted mainly towards ships with older engines - for shipping companies wanting to improve their environmental performance without having to replace the existing engine.

Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment, Schultz van Haegen, commented: "To maintain inland shipping's competitive edge, it is vital that we improve its environmental performance. After installing instruments suited for the onboard measurement of energy consumption and emissions, we can determine which measures and investments are most effective. This will take us a step closer to more efficient, cleaner and - let's not forget - more economical transport by water."

In addition to the two ministries and Rotterdam's port authority, the Green Deal was signed by Koninklijke BLN-Schuttevaer, the Dutch Central Office for Rhine and Inland Navigation (CBRB), MARIN, Blueco Benelux BV, the Association of Importers of Combustion Engines (VIV), Stichting Green Award, STC-Nestra, TNO, SGS Nederland BV, ECN, Expertise- en InnovatieCentrum Binnenvaart, EVO and Stichting Maritime Monitoring Institute.

The trial results are scheduled to be evaluated in the fourth quarter of 2018 at the latest.