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Shore power in Rotterdam

11 May 2021
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Shore power is an important part of the energy transition. Moored vessels at the quay leave their generators running for the electricity needed on board. The engines make noise and emit particulate matter, nitrogen and CO2 among others. Shore power offers the possibility to considerably reduce that nuisance by supplying vessels with clean electricity from the grid.

By 2030, the Municipality of Rotterdam and Port of Rotterdam Authority want a large proportion of the sea-going vessels to be ‘plugged in’ when they stay at the quay. To achieve this, the Port of Rotterdam Authority is focusing on three areas:

The Port of Rotterdam Authority is taking a programmatic approach to shore power. The approach has three focus areas.

  • 1: The Port of Rotterdam Authority’s public berths for inland shipping, port tugs and sea shipping must have shore power by 2027.
  • 2: According to the EU, container, cruise and passenger terminals must be equipped with shore power by 2030. The Port Authority supports this and encourages the terminals to meet this so-called AFIR obligation.
  • 3: Terminals located near a populated area should be encouraged to install shore power. The Port Authority wants to be a good neighbour for residents around the port.

On the one hand, the shore power programme is aimed at realising and operating shore power at the Port of Rotterdam Authority’s public berths. Additionally, the programme is working to achieve the right preconditions for terminals and shipping companies in the port area to enable the switch to shore power. At international level, the Port of Rotterdam Authority collaborates with other ports on joint challenges, such as standardisation, digitalisation and international policy issues. After which, lessons learned from projects will be mutually shared.

Mid-2024, Heerema, Stena Line, Boskalis, DFDS, Royal Roos and Rotterdam Shortsea Terminals’ berths have shore power for their sea-going vessels. This year, the Port of Rotterdam Authority expects that Cruise Port Rotterdam can provide cruise ships shore power. Furthermore, the Port of Rotterdam Authority is expanding shore power for the public berths for inland shipping, for example on Pier 3 in the Waalhaven.

Rotterdam Shore Power

The Port Authority and Eneco have established Rotterdam Shore Power as a company offering shore power as a service. Rotterdam Shore Power develops, finances, realises and operates shore power commissioned by clients and thereby helps clients focus on their own expertise and investment agendas. Terminals considering investing in shore power do not necessarily see the realisation and operation of shore power as their most important task or expertise. Furthermore, companies have investment agendas aimed at their own operations and at becoming more sustainable.

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‘Our vision is ambitious but also pragmatic. We are going to set up eight to ten shore power projects for various types of sea-going vessels. We do this in cooperation with the companies in the port and with the shipping companies. From what we learn from these projects, we will find out if we have to speed up or if we have to slow down.’
Allard Castelein, CEO, Havenbedrijf Rotterdam