World’s cleanest ship demonstrates how research is developing the waterborne transport of the future
Reference: IP/08/331

Brussels, Belgium – 2008-02-28 the low-emission, fuel efficient and environmentally friendly barge m/v ‘Victoria’ is moored in the Port of Brussels for a special one-day event illustrating 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. In addition to "CREATING", the event, attended by key EU industry representatives, researchers and policy makers, showcases two complementary projects working on marine engine technology and the use of alternative fuels.

On board the 1300 ton m/v "Victoria" Commissioner Potočnik 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 brings together 27 companies and research organisations from nine European countries, including Wärtsilä, MAN Diesel, and BP which provides the working lube 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 "World’s Cleanest Ship", this event, organised in cooperation with the Port of Brussels, presents other EU funded projects delivering radical advances in clean waterborne transport, including METHAPU – methanol fuel cell technology for maritime applications – and HERCULES – innovative marine engine technologies to reduce fuel consumption and emissions for sea-going vessels.

For additional information see www.cleanestship.eu