The goal of the REDUCTION project is the curtailment of harmful emissions in the Port of Antwerp. For according to recent studies, this is one of the only Belgian regions that exceed on a regular basis the European marginal value for fine particles. This project fits perfectly in with the action plan for fine particles that recently has been drawn up for the city of Antwerp.

The REDUCTION project is divided into two different subprojects CONVERSION and OPTIMIZATION, each with its own specific questions and answers.

In the subproject CONVERSION, the practical possibilities of converting a diesel engine into a methanol engine are studied, with the objective of achieving a higher efficiency than with diesel and this with lower emissions of harmful substances. If the results are favourable, a frequently used engine in the port of Antwerp will be converted into a methanol engine by way of a demonstration project.

The subproject OPTIMIZATION will study the economical feasibility of methanol as fuel substitute. In addition, an inventory will be made of which engines are used in the port of Antwerp and for which applications they are deployed. Followed by an evaluation that examines whether it is indeed possible to optimize the use of engines.

The two subprojects will start independently but in the course of the project they will merge in order to achieve the final objective of the project: the reduction of harmful emissions in the port of Antwerp.