Shipping companies want to become more sustainable, but how? Dirk Degroote from the Nijmegen-based company Cognauship knows how to inspire captains to reduce both their emissions and costs. “Using energy more efficiently is currently the only lifeline we have left to meet the short-term climate targets.”
The demand from the market was clear: tugboats want to operate in a more sustainable and cost-effective way. But they often struggle with how to go about it. In his previous job, Dirk heard the stories, but was unable to offer a solution. So he decided to chart a new course. Together with Noud Seegers, he set up the research company Cognauship.
“I used to be stuck in meetings all the time or away from home for long periods. I wanted to get back out in the field and make time for my family.”
And he got that time. Just not in the way he’d hoped. “In February 2020, we officially launched at the Noviotech Campus. A month later, the lockdown began. Everything came to a standstill, but my mind didn’t. It wasn’t a pleasant period, of course, but it did give me the time and space to spend time with my children without having to answer to a boss. And to think long and hard about my next steps. This was actually exactly what I needed.” 
A house made of Lego
All this brainstorming led to a unique Internet of Things (IoT) solution, based on monitoring and thoroughly analysing the movements and exhaust sounds of the ship’s engines, resulting in the identification of potential savings. It sounds simple, but behind the scenes, a great many steps need to be taken. After all, it’s a long road from sensor data to insights.
“You can think of that data as Lego bricks. When the data from the ship comes in, the bricks are scattered everywhere. I use algorithms specially developed for ships to sort them by size and colour, and then use these bricks to build a house that is easy to understand and provides useful insights. The customer only sees the house, but it has taken quite a few steps to get there.
We set ourselves apart by following the entire process. Most solution providers only offer the raw data and the platform – in other words, the box of Lego, sorted or unsorted. In most cases, the client has to work out for themselves how to build the house.”
Sustainability: please! But how?
"The problem today is really not that companies don't want to become more sustainable. They just simply don't know how or can't come up with a sound business case. We don't make sustainability for them, but explain to them how they can do it themselves. And for most ships, this is not a huge intervention at all, because 10 to 30 per cent fuel reduction can often be achieved with small changes. This often involves sailing at lower speeds or using other sailing techniques, but also logistics integration and optimisation. Think of it as The New Driving, but on the water."
Briskr and Municipality of Nijmegen
“In terms of professional expertise, we were already well-equipped, but running a business is a whole new adventure. That’s why it was brilliant that, thanks to Briskr, we were able to bounce ideas off other entrepreneurs and experts a lot during the early stages. An external, critical perspective is always welcome. It’s a bit of a reality check: is our work actually relevant? And if the answer is ‘yes’, that gives you a bit of extra confidence to carry on.”
Dirk is no stranger to the shipping industry, so his very first assignment was with a major player. “We were allowed to test our prototype in the port of Antwerp-Bruges. And when that went well, other companies were inspired too. The Nijmegen City Council approached us to provide our services, aiming to gain a better understanding of the emissions from ships passing through Nijmegen on the River Waal. They were also keen to give our Nijmegen-based company a boost.”
The council’s investment proved to be worth its weight in gold, as many companies followed suit. “This was also thanks to events organised by OostNL and our presence at the Noviotech Campus. That’s where we’re building our network.”
Noviotech Campus
"We are quite an oddity on the Noviotech Campus. Shipping was not present before our arrival, even though the market in Nijmegen is decent. We started with tugs, but now also do inland navigation vessels, because there was a demand for that from the region. In our backyard the Waal, some 300 ships pass by every day. So our work is also very relevant here."
A sustainable future
But as far as Dirk is concerned, his work will not remain relevant forever. “My dream is that everyone in the inland shipping sector becomes aware of how to sail sustainably and acts accordingly by 2030. Preferably, of course, with our help, because that would mean we’re really making an impact. If everyone gets involved, the climate targets for our sector will be within reach. And that’s the goal at the moment.”
This article was previously published on the Briskr website.
