For the first time, the Dutch water construction sector has access to a harmonized dataset for the environmental performance of both current and future energy carriers.
This is evident from Energy Carriers of the Future, a study conducted by Ecoreview and TNO, commissioned by the Association of Water Builders, Rijkswaterstaat, and the Port of Rotterdam.
The study, which was supported by TwynstraGudde, consolidates life cycle analyses (LCAs) of all relevant engine/fuel combinations and will be included in the basic process database of the National Environmental Database (NMD). Clients can now use the study to request more sustainable equipment in market approaches and contracting. This gives a positive boost to the sustainability of the water construction fleet in the Netherlands.
Atypical Fleet Requires a Common Basis
The need for this research arose due to the atypical nature of the water construction fleet. There are hundreds of variants of energy carriers and engine/fuel combinations that can be considered to initiate the transition to cleaner equipment.
Previously, each company had to have its own LCAs prepared for virtually every tender due to a lack of current figures and changes in calculation methods. The lack of uniform figures led to higher costs, administrative burdens, and discussions for both contractors and clients.
Clear Investment Perspective
Due to the involvement of the main clients and contractors in this research, the preparation of separate LCAs for each tender is no longer necessary.
Rijkswaterstaat is pleased with the results from Energy Carriers of the Future. It is valuable that we now have developed one joint dataset that everyone can work with, says Suzanne de Vos, MKI expert at Rijkswaterstaat. I see this as the beginning of a new phase: less administrative burden and more focus on actually reducing environmental impact. This simplification of the Environmental Cost Indicator is just the beginning.
The Port of Rotterdam also aligns with that message. For us as a client, this means less discussion about environmental performance and more focus on actual sustainability of the water construction sector. That is a significant step forward, says Edwin Hupkes, project manager at the Port of Rotterdam.
New Reality
Now that the research is completed in May 2025, this signifies a new reality for Dutch water construction. Rijkswaterstaat is focusing on simplification, and the development of standard MKI values fits well with that.
This will make it easier to register in future tenders. Rijkswaterstaat will investigate how the procurement standards can be adjusted based on this report and the accompanying tool. The Port of Rotterdam will also use the outcomes to further shape its sustainability ambitions.
Complexity and European Frameworks
The complexity of this research, where there are certainly many uncertainties regarding future fuels, made the analysis challenging and resulted in it taking over a year to complete this research, says Yves Marsé, market advisor at the Association of Water Builders. It is crucial that a clear, harmonized basis is established that allows the water construction sector to move forward.
Moreover, the European calculation rules provide considerable room for interpretation regarding what can or cannot be included. This has raised quite a few questions. Ultimately, consensus has been reached. As long as European regulations do not change, these are the reference figures that the water construction sector will work with for every tender based on the Environmental Cost Indicator.
This gives both clients and contractors more certainty – which is necessary to invest confidently in sustainable innovations.