Project goal: safety and sustainability hand in hand

With the deployment of the new ERTVs, we aim to enhance safety in the North Sea. The vessels are designed for flexible deployment in emergency assistance. 

The project contributes to the sustainability of the maritime sector. The ERTVs operate almost emission-free on electricity. During actual emergency towing operations, green e-methanol is used. This innovative project thus makes a significant contribution to reducing the ecological footprint of shipping in general and of the Rijksrederij in particular.

Charging infrastructure on land and at sea

To enable the vessels to operate electrically, 5 charging points will be established at sea and 5 on land. This charging infrastructure is an essential component of the project and is currently not yet available on the market. Once this technology is developed, it can be applied more broadly in the market and accelerate the sustainability of shipping.

Tendering via innovation partnership

The tendering process takes place through an innovation partnership. This procedure has been chosen because the project requires technological solutions that still need to be developed. Consider the development of the charging infrastructure in the North Sea, the connection of charging infrastructure with the vessels, and the operational usability at sea. 

Within this form of tendering, market parties collaborate in the research and development phase with the client to realize the project. The selected party(ies) receive compensation for their efforts. In a successful development trajectory, Rijkswaterstaat can directly proceed to awarding the contract for construction and operation, without going through a new tendering procedure.

Part of the Fleet Renewal Program

The Power2Tow project is part of the broader Fleet Renewal Program of the Rijksrederij. This program is aimed at timely and sustainable renewal of the fleet of the Dutch government. The new vessels are equipped with modern, environmentally friendly technologies. Power2Tow is being carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (Directorate-General for Aviation and Maritime Affairs), the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth, and the Coast Guard. 

This project is made possible in part by a substantial contribution from the European Recovery and Resilience Plan. The project also aligns with the measures that the government is implementing together with the sector under the Maritime Manufacturing Sector Agenda in the strategic interest of the Netherlands.

Publication of tender and follow-up

The tender for Power2Tow can be found from today on Tenderned . Interested parties can register according to the applicable procedures. The awarding of the project is expected in mid-2026. Subsequently, the research and development phase will start.

Importance for the Netherlands

With Power2Tow, we are taking an important step towards a safe and sustainable future at sea. The project combines innovation, ecological responsibility, and operational effectiveness: a unique approach within the European maritime sector.