Reports and papers

Deliverable 2.1: Definition of KPIs of the DT and different scenarios

Summary: The PLATINA4Action project develops a ‘Digital Twin’ for European policy evaluation for inland waterway transport. This tool will be used for evaluation of NAIADES III and making recommendations for a follow-up IWT policy action plan, NAIADES IV. This report presents the basis for the scenarios as input for the model and defines the main key performance indicators (KPIs) to be included in the policy evaluation tool. It makes the link to goals and targets from EU policy documents such as EU Green Deal, Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy and NAIADES III.

Deliverable 3.1: State of play and requirements for the label for inland vessels

Summary: The PLATINA4Action project develops a methodology for emission data of inland vessels and labelling the performance. This report presents the current state-of-play, building on recommendations from the PLATINA3 project for this topic. Amongst others, the latest developments regarding CSRD, ISO 14083:2023 greenhouse gas emission reporting standards, EU Taxonomy and EEDI methodology for inland vessels are presented. Afterwards, the objectives and boundaries of label systems for inland shipping are discussed. The next phase in the PLATINA4Action project is to elaborate the most promising methodology to be implemented. Close cooperation will take place with the stakeholders.

Deliverable 4.1: Stocktaking and good practices for zero-emission innovations in IWT

Summary: The PLATINA4Action project develops a plan for breakthrough of zero-emission innovations in inland waterway transport in Europe. This report describes good practices and initiatives in deployment and roll-out of innovative technologies with a focus on achieving a breakthrough of zero-emission technologies and digital solutions for connected systems. Based on a specific scope, an inventory was made of the most interesting technologies, concepts, and initiatives for achieving the zero-emission breakthrough in inland navigation. A major goal of PLATINA4Action is to prepare an implementation proposal by 2026, making best use of the existing financial instruments. A first assessment is presented by means of SWOT analyses and success and fail factors of the identified innovations. It is concluded that the success mainly depends on supportive regulations and targeted financial instruments.

Deliverable 4.2: TCO and economic scenario analysis

Summary: This report assesses the economic feasibility of (near) zero‑emission propulsion technologies for inland waterway transport using TCO modelling. It compares battery‑electric, hydrogen, methanol and methane solutions against Stage V diesel, including HVO100 as a renewable drop‑in fuel. Results depend strongly on assumptions, with significant uncertainty due to digital‑twin modelling and volatile external factors such as energy prices. Energy prices and CO₂ cost internalisation are the most influential drivers of competitiveness, especially under stringent climate policies. High CAPEX is a major barrier, with zero‑emission systems costing up to six times more than diesel, particularly for hydrogen fuel cells. Operational constraints such as downtime, payload loss and energy density are taken into account and limit some technologies for high‑power or long‑range vessels. Under the STEPS scenario, most zero‑emission options remain uncompetitive without support, while HVO100 becomes viable over time. Under the NZE scenario and with 60% CAPEX grants, several zero‑emission solutions reach or approach cost parity with diesel.  Strong EU policy measures can significantly increase IWT modal share and deliver substantial socio‑economic benefits through lower external costs.

Deliverable 4.3: Requirements, barriers and opportunities for industry support

Summary: This report analyses how to unlock large‑scale industry investment in zero‑emission inland waterway transport (IWT), focusing on conditions needed for the pragmatic majority of vessel owners. Zero‑emission technologies are technologically mature (TRL 8–9); the core barriers are economic, regulatory and systemic rather than technical. Battery‑electric, hydrogen fuel cells, hydrogen and methanol ICE, HVO100 and methane ICE are all viable pathways, but each faces distinct cost, regulatory or infrastructure constraints. A persistent “green premium” remains, with zero‑emission CAPEX up to 5.5× higher than diesel and renewable energy prices still uncompetitive without policy intervention. Frontrunners have proven technical feasibility but face first‑mover disadvantages, regulatory uncertainty and operational trade‑offs in range, payload and turnaround time. The pragmatic majority hesitates due to investment risk, lack of bankability, fuel price gaps, fragmented regulation and missing infrastructure.
Regional differences are critical: full electrification suits Rhine/ARA passenger and container routes, while Danube  cargo transport depends on high‑energy liquid fuels and ICE solutions. Market uptake requires technology‑neutral EU regulation, binding long‑term policy roadmaps, carbon pricing, and both CAPEX and OPEX support. New business models such as Energy‑as‑a‑Service, corridor‑based deployment and cross‑sector synergies can reduce risk and accelerate scaling. A systemic transition needs coordinated EU action combining regulation, funding, standardisation and demand‑side pull to move from pilots to mass deployment.

Deliverable 5.1: Funding opportunities for RD&I and deployment activities at the European level

Summary: PLATINA4Action provides with this report offers a detailed and comprehensive catalogue of various funding mechanisms available to stakeholders in the inland waterway transport (IWT) sector. The primary goal is to facilitate the transition to a zero-emission and smart IWT system, aligning with the EU’s climate goals, particularly the European Green Deal and the NAIADES III action program as well as the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy. This deliverable highlights a variety of European Union funding instruments, emphasizing how these can support research, development, innovation (RD&I), and deployment activities in the IWT sector.
The summarising brochure is available as well in German and Dutch language.

Joint input paper for the EU Sustainable Transport Investment Plan

Summary: PLATINA4Action together with INE, EBU, EFIP, ESO prepared a statement addressing the European Commission about the ambitions for the IWT and Ports in view of the development of the EU Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP). The general statement is that the decarbonisation of inland waterway transport (IWT) is within reach — but we need the right framework to make it happen. The inland waterway transport and inland ports sector urges the European Commission and Member States to act with ambition in the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan with the following key messages:

🔋 Prioritised support for HVO as a renewable fuel for IWT
🛠 Regulatory certainty to enable a short-term shift
💡 Pro-innovation funding to de-risk long-term investment
📦 IWT: the ideal carrier for large-volume shipments of renewable fuels

IWT is ready to deliver on the EU GreenDeal — ensuring energy diversification, supply chain resilience, and sustainable movement of the building blocks of the EU economy. Now is the time to anchor IWT in the EU’s Sustainable Transport Investment Plan, Port Strategy and Industrial Waterborne Strategy.

Please read the full paper!

Joint input paper for the EU Industrial Waterborne and Port strategies

🚢 JOINT DECLARATION | Industrial Waterborne & Port Strategies ⚓
We have launched a joint declaration with leading associations from the inland waterway transport and port sector to highlight the critical role of inland navigation and ports in the EU’s industrial future.

🔹 Why it matters
Inland waterways and ports are essential for EU competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience. They enable the low-emission transport of critical goods, connect seaports with inland regions, support urban mobility, and are emerging as hubs for renewable energy and the circular economy.

🔹 Our shared vision
✔️ A green transition: zero-emission ships, clean fuels like HVO100, shore power, and circular port ecosystems
✔️ A digital future: automation, smart shipping, and seamless multimodal connectivity
✔️ Resilience by design: dual-use infrastructure to support civil and military defence
✔️ People at the centre: future-ready jobs, skills development, and attractive career paths

🔹 Policy priorities
✅ Fostering innovation from its inception phase to deployment across the value chain;
✅ Pro-innovation regulation providing legal certainty to boost investment;
✅ A funding and investment framework, which is stable, predictable, fit-for-purpose and easy-to-access in particular for SMEs.
💡 “Inland navigation is a strong mode for supply chain continuity, and a frontrunner in Europe’s twin green and digital transitions.”

This is a joint effort from Inland Navigation Europe, European Barge Union (EBU), EFIP (European Federation of Inland Ports) and PLATINA4Action and her partners EICB, IWT Platform and Waterborne Technology Platrform.

The EU Industrial Waterborne Strategy and EU Port Strategy are designed to accelerate the green and digital transition of the entire waterborne value chain and set a roadmap for innovation, investment, and resilience. As input to these strategies, the IWT and ports sector highlights its vision around a number of key areas, and calls for the following policy actions:

Please read the full paper and the press release!

Input paper Policy targets for EU IWT – 2024 NAIADES implementation Expert Group

PLATINA4Action prepared a paper to start the discussion about the policy targets to be achieved for Inland Waterway Transport in Europe. One of the tasks of PLATINA4Action is to evaluate the NAIADES III policy and to provide the recommendation for a next IWT policy package (2028-2035). SMART defined targets are helpful to identify possible gaps between the policy targets  and the expectation evolution under a ‘Business as Usual’ scenario.  Next, recommendations can be developed resulting in options for actions and intervention measures to close gaps (if any). 

The paper provides the background and general policy goals from the EU Green Deal and Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy and summarises objectives from relevant legislations such as EU Taxonomy, Renewable Energy and Emissions Trading System Directives in relation to the ambitions and objectives as mentioned in the NAIADES III communication. Next it also provides suggestions for policy targets which can be applied for IWT, specifically for modal share and greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions. Such policy targets will be applied in the Digital Twin prepared in the PLATINA4Action project. This Digital Twin helps to quantify the evolution of emissions and modal share of IWT under different scenarios and for different IWT policy options. Next the impact of IWT policy options is  assessed in a quantified manner.