Reduced energy consumption in fisheries Grant

About this grant

The Minder energieverbruik in de visserij (Reduced energy consumption in fisheries) subsidy helps owners of fishing vessels invest in innovative components that make their vessel more energy-efficient and reduce fuel use and emissions of pollutants or greenhouse gases, making the business more future-proof. It targets fishers with vessels that do not catch or farm shellfish; shellfish fishers and farmers have a separate scheme. Eligible investment groups include hydrodynamic improvements (stability mechanisms, non-toxic anti-fouling agents, rudder adjustments reducing rudder activity, flow-tank tests), drive system improvements (energy-efficient propellers, propeller shafts, catalysts, with a specific carve-out for shrimp licence holders who previously received the nitrogen-emission scheme), and energy systems (efficient generators, econometers, fuel management and monitoring systems, nozzles, bow thrusters, renewable-energy drive components). Changing towed gear to an alternative gear, or modifying towed gear or adding monitoring equipment for it, is also covered if the new gear is not less selective than the current one. The subsidy covers purchase and installation of investments but excludes maintenance costs, nets and traps (treated as normal operating costs), and replacement or modernisation of auxiliary or main engines. Applications are assessed in order of receipt, and applicants may begin investments once they have applied, at their own risk. The subsidy covers 50% of eligible costs, up to a maximum of €1,250,000 per vessel owner, with a total budget of €25,000,000 for this target group. Multiple vessels require separate applications, and connected companies share the maximum cap. Applications are submitted via eHerkenning and open from 28 September 2026 at 09:00 until 14 December 2026 at 17:00 (Dutch time). Payments are made in instalments, with up to 90% paid before final establishment. The scheme was previously run in 2023 with a €28 million budget for MFL1 and MFL2 segments.

Eligibility

Applicants must be owners of a fishing vessel registered in the Dutch Register of Fishing Vessels, and must be micro, small or medium-sized enterprises (mkb) with the vessel used for fishing other than shellfish harvesting or culture. The vessel must have carried out 60 days of at-sea fishing activity in the two calendar years before the application (2024 and 2025 are referenced). Applicants must not have received other subsidy for the same investment on the same vessel, must complete the investment within 2 years of the decision, and must not transfer or reflag the vessel to a non-EU country for at least 5 years after the last subsidy payment. Companies with severe infringements of the Common Fisheries Policy or with infringement points may be excluded. Applications require eHerkenning at level 3 with RVO services authorisation, or an intermediary using a chain authorisation.

How it's scored

Applications are assessed in order of receipt and only once complete. A decision is issued within 8 weeks of a complete application, stating whether the application is approved and the maximum subsidy amount. Some applicants may be selected for a company visit. No weighted scoring criteria are disclosed.

Key requirements

• ✓Applicant must be a fisher or fishing vessel owner in the Netherlands intending to invest in an energy-saving installation on a fishing vessel
• ✓Application window runs from 28 September 2026 to 14 December 2026
• ✓Installation must reduce energy consumption of the fishing vessel

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO) offer?

Reduced energy consumption in fisheries offers $1.4M.

When is the Reduced energy consumption in fisheries deadline?

Applications close 14 Dec 2026 16:00.

Who can apply for Reduced energy consumption in fisheries?

Eligibility covers organisations in NL; sme. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Energy efficiency funding covers building retrofits, industrial process upgrades, heat recovery, efficient equipment and demand reduction. It arrives as grants for audits and capital works, as support schemes run by agencies and utilities or as public tenders for retrofit and energy services. Applicants usually need a baseline of current energy use and a measured saving.