For the fourth time in a row, the Port Authority has achieved ISO 50001 certification for its sustainable energy policy. In addition to platform Antwerp, Zeebrugge is also now included on the certificate for the first time. This is an extremely positive accomplishment, just two years after the merger.

One hundred percent of the electricity used by the Port Authority for buildings, locks, bridges, and for the shore power supply for inland navigation ships has already been sourced from renewable energy sources since 2011. The same applies to the power used by the hybrid patrol vessels. Meanwhile, the Port’s fleet of tug-boats includes two vessels running on renewable fuels – one on hydrogen and one on methanol – and the first electric tug-boat will also be coming soon. In recent years, the Port Authority invested heavily in the electrification of its fleet of vehicles and has continued to push for energy neutrality in its buildings.

Those investments are now paying off. Over the last 10 years, Port of Antwerp-Bruges has realised savings of:

• 9.6% on the cost of gasoline for our own fleet
• 64.8% on the cost of natural gas to heat our own buildings
• 33.8% on the cost of electricity for our buildings and for public lighting
• 27.5% on the cost of electricity for our bridges and locks.

And it doesn’t stop here. The Port Authority also remains committed to a sustainable energy policy in the coming years.

Rob Smeets, COO Port of Antwerp-Bruges: “A sustainability policy is not a short-term story. We have actually been working for years to ensure that our ambition to be carbon neutral by 2050 is translated into specific actions and measures. We also have the courage to experiment with innovative technologies based on trial and error, so we are very pleased that this audacity is being rewarded once again.”