The container terminals of Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam (ECT) will be equipped with shore power facilities in the coming years. ECT has made an agreement with Rotterdam Shore Power (RSP), a partnership between Eneco and Port of Rotterdam, to achieve this.

The first vessels are expected to be connected to the shore power facilities by 2028. Once the facilities are fully operational at both terminals in 2030, around 5,000 sea-going vessels can be connected to shore power annually. This will reduce the port’s CO₂ emissions by around 35,000 tonnes a year.

RSP will construct and operate the shore power facilities, while ECT and Port of Rotterdam Authority will be responsible for the civil integration of the facilities at the quay and terminal site. The projects are part of the largest shore power projects in Europe, which jointly comprise around five kilometres of quay.

Rotterdam port’s ambition is to be climate neutral by 2050, while remaining vital and competitive. Furthermore, Rotterdam port hereby meets European guidelines that are part of the European Green Deal.

Shore power as a service

Leo Ruijs, CEO of ECT: ‘The projects are in line with our goal of being emission free by 2035. When calling at our terminals, our clients can use shore power facilities, which fit well within the philosophy of our logistics concept.’

Rotterdam Shore Power is proud to be able to offer shore power as a service on the Maasvlakte, state Tiemo Arkesteijn and Ina Barge, who run RSP. ‘We are hereby removing the investment thresholds and taking the burden off our clients and partners, while accelerating the greening of the port and maritime sector at the same time.’

Making the port sustainable

Robert Simons, port councillor of the Municipality of Rotterdam: ‘This is a wonderful milestone for the port of Rotterdam and a significant step towards our aim to provide all vessels at Rotterdam’s quays with shore power! We offer our compliments to ECT Rotterdam, Rotterdam Shore Power and Port of Rotterdam Authority on this result. This development not only contributes to cleaner air and lower noise pollution but also accelerates sustainability at our port and of the maritime sector.’