Port of Rotterdam increases its share in Rotterdam Shore Power

ROTTERDAM : The Port of Rotterdam Authority has increased its share in Rotterdam Shore Power (RSP), a joint venture between Eneco and the Port Authority, from 20% to 50%.

The partners, who now have an equal share, intend to accelerate and increase shore power supply at the Dutch port in the next years in order to reduce CO2 and nitrogen emissions and enhance air quality.

Rotterdam Shore Power develops, invests in, and operates shore power facilities for port terminals so that ships can turn off their diesel generators when moored, reducing particulate matter, nitrogen, and CO2 emissions.

Since 2022, RSP has provided shore power for Heerema’s ships in the Caland Canal.

“Shore power is an important tool to further improve air quality and reduce CO2 emissions. In addition, it reduces nitrogen emissions by 70% per docked ship,” said Allard Castelein, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority.

For this project, a new substation was constructed to generate 20 megawatt hours of wind energy, which is comparable to the power consumption of 15,000 households. Boskalis (Waalhaven) and DFDS Ferries (Vlaardingen) have also begun projects.

“The energy transition is multifaceted and the potential of electrification is enormous, shore power in the port of Rotterdam is a good example of this,” stated As Tempelman, CEO of Eneco.

RSP intends to extend its port offering in the future years, with the goal of having all deep-sea cargo terminals outfitted with shore power by 2028. This might save 200,000 tonnes of CO2 and 2,500 tonnes of nitrogen each year.