Eureka Project Net Zero 7000 Hp Towboat. A Systemic Approach

This paper presents a systemic approach to develop sustainable, inclusive and competitive solutions to the inland waterway transportation of goods. The author leads today the Eureka Project aimed to start applying these solutions to the Paraguay Parana Waterway and in the near future also in Brazilian waterways. To illustrate this concept some real achievements of the Eureka development are presented. At a conceptual level, different issues are briefly presented: technical, economical, ambient, operational and social. Focusing on two critical project aspects, towboat design and green fuel production, it is mentioned the “chicken and egg dilemma” which needs to be solved in order to advance with these type of high impact innovations. The development of regional and circular economy opportunities is also addressed. Finally, the Hidrovía Cero Alliance (H0A) is proposed to gather and leverage joint efforts of main stakeholders to create a more sustainable, inclusive and competitive waterway system in South America