Five ports in North-West Europe have agreed to work together to provide large container ships in the ports of Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg, Bremen and Haropa (including Le Havre) with shore-based power by 2028 so that the on-board generators are not used when the vessels are berthed. Vessels will then be connected to the mains power grid through a cable.
That is good for air quality and for the climate as it will mean lower nitrogen and CO2 emissions, says Allard Castelein, CEO Port of Rotterdam Authority.
“Rotterdam already has shore-based power connections for inland vessels at all public berths in the port area. StenaLine in Hoek van Holland and Heerema’s berth in the Calandkanaal are also equipped with shore power. Last year, we launched an ambitious programme to complete around eight to ten shore-based power projects by 2025. Now, this collaborative international effort is also under way.”
