ECT terminals to switch to shore power by 2028

Container terminal operator Hutchinson Ports ECT Rotterdam (ECT) has revealed plans to enable sea-going vessels to connect to shore power by 2028. To achieve this, the operator joined forces with Rotterdam Shore Power (RSP), a partnership between Eneco and the Port of Rotterdam.

ECT aims to have the shore power facilities fully operational at the ECT Delta terminal and the ECT Euromax terminal in 2030, allowing around 5,000 sea-going vessels to be connected to shore power annually. This is expected to reduce the port’s CO2 emissions by around 35,000 tonnes a year.

Under the agreement, RSP will construct and operate the shore power facilities. The civil integration of the facilities at the quay and terminal site will be assigned to ECT and the Port of Rotterdam Authority.

According to the Rotterdam Port, the projects are part of the largest shore power projects in Europe, which jointly comprise around five kilometers of quay.

Leo Ruijs, CEO of ECT, said: “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.”

Robert Simons, Port Councilor 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.”

In 2023, Rotterdam municipality decided to offer companies that are considering making the switch to shore-based power the opportunity to have a feasibility study carried out, of which 80% will be funded by the municipality.

Currently, Heerema, Stena Line, Boskalis, DFDS, Royal Roos, and Rotterdam Shortsea Terminals’ berths have shore power for their sea-going vessels at the Port of Rotterdam.

This year, the Port of Rotterdam Authority expects that Cruise Port Rotterdam can provide cruise ships shore power. Furthermore, the authority is expanding shore power for the public berths for inland shipping, for example on Pier 3 in the Waalhaven.