Green Shipping
Pioneering Sustainable Maritime Solutions
Our Mission:
Practical green shipping solutions for low emission ships
With over 70 years of experience in ship design and a long history in designing fuel-efficient ships, Conoship is dedicated to providing the shipping industry with practical green shipping solutions. Our mission is to lead the transition to large-scale, emission-free shipping by developing innovative technologies and stimulating collaborative ecosystems.
Green Maritime Projects
Redox flow electric sailing
This project will develop “Redox Flow” battery systems for fully electrically powered cargo ships. It is carried out by a start-up company in cooperation with the University of Groningen and the Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen. The concept is based on “land-based” technology which has proven to be effective. A new test facility and a factory with hundreds of FTEs are planned for the battery systems’ production. With smart stimulation, the Netherlands can build a global leader in emission-free electric freight transport by sea.
Shared facility for ship parts
The development of a robotized micro panel factory with and by the Northern Netherlands shipyards, for centralized and digitized production of steel panels and sub-sections for the shipyards. This will make the production of ships in the Northern Netherlands shipbuilding even more efficient, with production prices that are competitive with East and Southeast Asia. This will lead to an expansion of shipbuilding capacity and employment with the co-makers of existing yards.
VentoFoil XL
This project aims to expand the development and production of the “VentoFoils”: auxiliary wind propulsion units for ships. These units are produced by Econowind BV in Groningen. After the successful “Proof-of-Concept” of smaller 10 m VentoFoil systems on coastal vessels, they will now also produce installations for much larger deep-sea vessels. There is strong growth in demand from all over the world for these types of vessels. New production facilities will be developed and built for the large-scale serial production of “VentoFoils XL” (30-50 m height).
Standardised high-power marine fuel cells
This project will look at the maritime application of fuel cell technology. The hydrogen developments at Gasunie and fuel cell supplier Holthausen/Hyzon in Groningen are still mainly focused on the automotive sector but are being expanded to include maritime applications. This will generate new employment opportunities and facilities to produce these technologies in the Northern Netherlands.
Marine CO₂ capture systems
This project will focus on adapting CO₂ capture systems for use on maritime vessels. Bouman Industries of Veendam is now successfully supplying CO₂ capture systems for use on land. They are also developing the technology for use on board, ultimately targeting use on commercial vessels. To this end, they are planning to expand their facilities in Veendam to allow large-scale production.
Setting up FieldLab Shipbuilding 4.0
In the FieldLab Smart Shipbuilding 4.0 project, new assembly methods will be developed. These new methods aim to make optimal use of the supplied “micro panels” and to integrate the ship systems into them. Digital support for the cooperation and coordination of co-makers and shipyards will make the finishing and installation of emission-free technologies and other engine room and electrical systems in ships much more efficient. As a result, shipyards in the Northern Netherlands can apply and integrate innovative zero-emission technologies in ships that are built competitively. This means the latest “green” innovations are not immediately available in elaborate design packages at shipyards in East and Southeast Asia.
Proof-of-concept ships
This project will develop and construct four “Proof-of-Concept” ships for the further testing and development of the “green” technologies and construction processes. The coalition envisages that, in cooperation with governments, support mechanisms will be developed to enable these emission-free ships to compete with their polluting fossil-based competitors. The aim is to show the market that “it can be done”.
The North's journey to becoming a world player in a zero-emissions future
The Digital & Green Maritime Coalition
History and Evolution
Initiated by the Groninger Maritime Board and Conoship International, the Digital and Green Maritime Coalition (DGMC) aims to lead the way in the transition to large-scale emission-free shipping. The coalition is developing the Green & Digital Maritime Innovation Ecosystem North-Netherlands (GDMIEN-NL), supported by the Province of Groningen and SNN with an ERDF subsidy of 1.4 million euros.
Future Perspectives
Innovative Industry Development in the Northern Netherlands
Establishing a fully digitalized ship production chain (via FieldLab Shipbuilding 4.0).
Developing and testing zero-emission vessel prototypes with real commercial applications.
Investing in shared facilities and tools, like the Shared Robotics Facility, to boost collective capacity.
Positioning the region as a European benchmark for sustainable maritime manufacturing.
Expanding Employment in the Maritime Sector
- Retraining programs for digital manufacturing, system integration, and green propulsion.
- Collaboration with MBO/HBO institutions and universities to align education with emerging industry needs.
- Creating new career paths in clean-tech engineering, data-driven design, and modular shipbuilding.
- Retaining and attracting young talent to the region through visible, purpose-driven projects.
Accelerating Emission-Free Shipping Through Collaboration
Bringing together shipyards, system suppliers, designers, and operators to co-develop scalable solutions.
Standardizing modular designs that allow for future retrofits to hydrogen, methanol, or electric power.
Partnering with governmental bodies and EU programs to align funding and policy support.
Sharing insights and lessons learned across the coalition to accelerate market-readiness.
Green Shipping Wadden Sea
The goal of the Green Shipping Wadden Sea program is to accelerate innovations in the field of CO2-neutral and fossil-free shipping for the Wadden Sea fleet and to develop the associated port facilities and infrastructure. All this to support the ambition of 60% CO2 emission reduction by 2030 for the Wadden Sea region.
The website gives a good overview of the program and the five projects that started from the start of the program in March 2020. Together with the launch, the promotional films for each of the projects were released.
We are participating in the pilot project ‘Development of Maritime Methanol Systems’.
Project 'Development of Maritime Methanol Systems'
Professional and recreational shipping plays a major role in the Wadden Sea region. It is vital for the economic growth of the area, but has a major impact on the environment. Within the sector, therefore, the transition to sustainable energy sources is being looked at. The basis is electrification of shipping and use of battery systems and possibly additional use of fuel cells to increase the range. Fuel cells require hydrogen or methanol to generate electrical energy.
Green Methanol as an Energy Carrier
The challenges in the storage and use of hydrogen are significant at this time. Green methanol as an energy carrier is seen as a promising alternative to hydrogen. Methanol is easier to store and has a good energy density, is widely available and easy to produce, and is price competitive with diesel.
Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Development
Currently, the technology that enables application of biomethanol as a marine energy source is limited. This project will work on the development and small-scale testing of Direct Methanol Fuel Cell technology for maritime applications. The Green methanol is used directly, without intermediate steps, by the fuel cell. Energy is generated through a redox reaction, with minimal emissions of non-fossil CO2 and no environmental emissions.
Within the project period, two types of energy systems based on the DMFC are investigated and developed. The first system involves a methanol fuel cell, which replaces diesel generators and lead-acid batteries to provide a reliable power grid and heat supply on board.
The second system involves the development of technology for DMFC energy for the range extension of electric propulsion of ships. Motor yachts of 8m and 12m are chosen as the test platform for the DMFC power train.
Partners
The project is being carried out by Electric Ship Facilities in cooperation with Bureau Scheepvaart Certificering, Conoship International, Stokkel Engineering and FME.