Antwerp Euroterminal gears up for shore power

Two fixed shore power connections will be installed at the Antwerp Euroterminal (AET) for car carriers and conro vessels. They’ll go into operation in 2026.

“This project, that was made possible through the generous support of a grant from Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO), is a fine example of how, as Flanders’ number one economic engine, we are pioneering, innovating and working on the port of the future together with the industry,” said Annick De Ridder, president of the board of directors of Port of Antwerp-Bruges.

”It is also a nice example of the role of facilitator we take upon us.”

Future proofing

AET is Europe’s largest multipurpose terminal and one of 24 terminals of the Grimaldi Group.

Although the European obligation to provide shore power for container vessels by 2030 does not apply to ro-ro and con-ro vessels, AET has deliberately chosen to provide it anyway.

This makes it the first terminal in the port of Antwerp-Bruges and in Belgium to provide a “future proof” fixed shore power installation for seagoing vessels, built beyond current EU regulations & directives.

The technology and service consortium High voltage Onshore Power As a Service (HOPaS) will handle the investment, installation and operation of the future onshore power solution at AE. It comprises of Techelec, Yuso and Whitewood that .

Port of Antwerp-Bruges is facilitating the rollout of shore power at the terminal.

AET’s shore power projects will carry a €25 to €30 million investment, to which the Flemish agency for innovation (VLAIO) granted a €4 million subsidy.

Green electricity for the connections will initially be produced by the three wind turbines installed on the terminal site and operated by Wind aan de Stroom.

In addition, extra capacity will be produced by solar panels on the roof of the multilevel parking garage of the terminal and two extra wind mill turbines that are on the planning to be installed on the terminal.

The produced green energy will be stored into a large battery system to optimise the use of the generated electricity.

Numerous connection points for quayside electricity are already available for barges and tugs at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, and in Zeebrugge quayside electricity will be available for cruise ships from 2026.

Port of Antwerp-Bruges said it is also committed to providing shore power for the largest container ships by 2028.