Shore based power for Rotterdam

This means that the Stena Line ferries can now obtain their electricity from the mainland and no longer have to run their engines to generate power meaning more efficiency and less emissions.

The port says that the investment has been made in order to improve the air quality in the immediate vicinity of the terminal.

The installation has been supported by the Port of Rotterdam Authority, the municipality of Rotterdam and the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment.The new systems have been supplied by ABB.

A Port of Rotterdam spokesperson said to GreenPort: “It is a step forward because it is our first shore connected power station for sea vessels. Until now we have had only 300 shore connected power contacts for barges in the city of Rotterdam.” Recently a special connection for river cruise vessels was installed there as well.

Despite the obvious advantages of shore power, the spokesperson added that the port doesn’t have any concrete plans to install more shore connected power for ocean going vessels in the near future. This is because of the high investment involved.

However, the port authority says that quays are being prepared for shore power in the future, presumably when costs come down.