The low-emission, fuel efficient and environmentally friendly motor tank vessel 'Victoria' was moored in the Port of Brussels for a special one-day press event to illustrate how clean shipping technology is revolutionising the way goods are transported in Europe.

BP and the EU-financed research project CREATING have worked together to develop environmentally efficient inland navigation. This fully operational vessel demonstrates how EU research provides real solutions to real problems; in this case delivering safer, cleaner, and more competitive waterborne transport for the future. The event, attended by key EU industry representatives, researchers, policy makers and some 60 journalists from all over Europe, showcases two complementary projects working on marine engine technology and the use of alternative fuels.

On board the 1300 tonne m/v ‘Victoria’ European Commissioner for Science and Research Janez Potocnik said "Greening is an essential objective of European transport research, and inland navigation provides a particularly relevant, environmentally friendly and cost effective alternative to other forms of transport of heavy goods in Europe. This project is a perfect example of concrete scientific solutions which EU research brings through collaboration in the European Research Area. EU-funded projects continue to deliver innovative results in such fields as more efficient and cleaner alternative propulsion systems, cleaner fuel, optimised routing, as well as improved hull forms – all of these are directly usable today by the EU shipping industry. But we must also look further ahead, and support European leadership in ship engine production, as well as developing long term solutions using fuel cell technology for cleaner, greener, safer shipping".

CREATING is a unique partnership which brought together 27 companies and research organisations from nine European countries, including BP which provides the lub oil barge 'Victoria' as a demonstration vessel. To improve fuel efficiency, reduce energy use and lower emissions, the Cleanest Ship uses innovative technologies for speed control, low sulphur fuel use, selective catalytic reduction, and particulate matter filters.

As well as presenting the Cleanest Ship, this event, organised in cooperation with the Port of Brussels, presented other EU funded projects delivering radical advances in clean waterborne transport: METHAPU – methanol fuel cell technology for maritime applications - and HERCULES – innovative marine engine technologies to reduce fuel consumption and emissions for sea-going vessels.

Further information
CREATING
Bert de Vries (Holland Shipbuilding)
+31 79 353 11 65
bvr@scheepsbouw.nl
www.cleanestship.eu