The path to zero emissions is not waiting for a future breakthrough but building a modular design now that can plug in a succession of technologies as they become viable.

So believes Dutch shortsea captain Sam Gombra.

Gombra's Eta Shipping, which is based in Leeuwarden, expects to place an order for six 6,700-dwt ice-class 1A general cargoships before the end of May, with a price of about €14m per ship — far above the market for conventional newbuildings of that size.