APMT MVII to introduce shore power from 2028, boosting sustainability of Rotterdam Port

APM Terminals Maasvlakte II (APMT MVII) has signed an agreement with Rotterdam Shore Power to equip its terminal with shore power from 2028.

The partnership, also comprising of the Port of Rotterdam Authority and Eneco, will see that from 2028, the sea-going vessels will be supplied with clean energy while staying in the port.

By connecting the vessels to the power grid at APMT MVII, the partners expect CO₂ emissions reduction by almost 7,000 tonnes each year. This is also said to reduce nitrogen and particulate emissions. Vessels will use a total of about 13,000 MWh at the terminal annually, the Port of Rotterdam stated.

“Shore power is an effective way to reduce shipping emissions and also ensures that ships at the quay do not make noise,” said Brigit Gijsbers, Deputy Director-General for Aviation and Maritime Affairs at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.

“It is great to see that the Port of Rotterdam is once again taking a significant step towards making the port more sustainable.”

Years of preparation and partnership preceded the signing of the agreement with Rotterdam Shore Power. Together, Rotterdam Shore Power and APMT MVII will define the further development and implementation of shore power facilities at the terminal.

“We expect the first vessels to be able to use the shore power facilities in 2028. That is well in advance of the European regulations requiring shore power for container ships by 2030,” the partners highlighted.

“Offering shore power to our clients is the next logistical step in our global ambition to minimise emissions in the maritime sector,” commented Harold Kunst, CEO of APMT MVII.

“This collaboration with Rotterdam Shore Power is a significant step in our joint ambition to make the port of Rotterdam a global pioneer in the field of sustainability.”

In May this year, the Port of Rotterdam unveiled that, in 2023, CO₂ emissions in the port decreased by 2.2 Mton (10%) compared to 2022. The decrease was caused mainly by the two coal-fired power stations on the Maasvlakte. In 2023, these plants emitted a total of over 2 Mton (38%) less CO₂ than in 2022.