At the Damen Maaskant Fishery Festival on 3rd September, possibilities were presented for fishing operators to improve emissions, fuel economy, energy efficiency and profitability. Stands from divisions within the Damen Shipyards Group and suppliers demonstrated the possibilities for electric propulsion, alternative fuels or exhaust treatment as well as financing possibilities.
‘North Sea fishery is facing difficult times, but Damen Maaskant sees a future,’ managing director Eric Moerkerk said at the opening of the festival at the Stellendam yard in front of some 200 visitors from the fishing segment of the maritime industry.
‘Demand for fish will grow as a result of population growth and the need for more healthy food. At this festival we offer maritime solutions that can make a fishing vessel future proof. We provide tailor made solutions for any vessel. The choice is for the fishermen.’
Hybrid or electric propulsion, alternative clean fuels such as methanol or hydrogen, exhaust treatment systems and energy efficient deck equipment have been developed within Damen Shipyards Group and applied on board different types of vessels. Compact systems that filter NOx from exhaust gas were presented by programme director André de Bie, and these have been developed for inland vessels and workboats. This small size SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) installation will fit in the engine room of any fishing vessel and is combined with sound damping and soot filtering.
Damen Maaskant recently won the Shellfish Sustainability and Innovation Prize, recognising its efforts towards a transition to a zero-emission fishing fleet.
Together with a range of offerings from Damen, suppliers including ABC, EST Floattech and Nedstack, presented their contributions to a sustainable fleet.
ABC showcased its power source that runs on diesel, methanol as well as hydrogen. Nedstack presented their modular and extendable fuel cell system that generates electricity from hydrogen. EST Floattech had their stack of linkable batteries set up to show how this can be customised into the available space on board. This may provide the power for either full electric propulsion, hybrid propulsion with stretches of the route only navigated on electric power, down to using electricity for peak shaving.
To clarify possibilities for government financial support, the Dutch state office for entrepreneurial support (RVO) shared information with fishermen looking for an ecological upgrade of their vessel.
Consultancy company Craeghs explained how they can help in acquiring the most funding from government agency programmes in fishing vessel conversion projects. Craeghs has successfully supported several projects at Damen Maaskant recently.
An appearance by Herring Queen Anneke Ouwehand and a fish fillet demonstration added to the atmosphere. Industry support organization EMK was present to serve fresh baked fish and Roem van Yerseke served mussels.
All this demonstrates the wealth of the North Sea and the good work done by fishermen to bring this healthy food from the sea every week.
