Contributions from the Colombian Navy and Cotecmar in the Framework of the Energy Transition in the River Sector

At the global level there are great challenges associated with climate change and energy efficiency, so there is widespread interest in the technological change of transport to eliminate dependence on fossil fuels and optimize the energy matrix. Colombia faces challenges from river transport impacts, with poor infrastructure and an obsolete fleet dependent on fossil energy sources, generating high operational costs and environmental impacts. The Colombian Navy and Cotecmar have been joining efforts to provide country solutions in relation to the optimization of the energy matrix of river transport, proposing zero- and low-emission solutions, using renewable energy fuels. Among the projects of greatest impact are: (1) FerroFluvial 4.0—Research plan for the prioritization of electromobility technologies and their penetration in the strengthening of productive chains in Colombia, iron and river modes. (2) MEC-H2 Model of the Colombian Energy System for the evaluation of energy transition scenarios towards the hydrogen economy. (3) ECOTEA—Development of an eco-friendly electric boat in the framework of the energy transition for the river transport of passengers on the Atrato River. The results have been incorporated into the National Sustainable Transport Strategy and national plans.