European ports commit to shore power for giant container ships by 2028

Under the MoU signed during the World Ports Conference on 21 June 2021, the ports are jointly advocating a clear regulatory framework for the use of shore power or an equivalent alternative. The ports are also asking for an equivalent valuation of fuels – and in particular the equalisation of certain levies and taxes on electricity for shore power use with those on marine fuels – and sufficient availability of public funds to implement these projects.

We call upon policy makers, private and public stakeholders to join our initiative and put in place the right framework to enable a step forward in the deployment of OPS to the benefit of emission reductions in our ports and the further greening of the shipping sector,

…said Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO Port of Antwerp.

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Shipping emissions at berth account for the major share of ship emissions while in port, as ships burn bunker fuels in order to generate board side electricity at berth. According to the Flanders Environment Agency’s emission inventory, almost 19% of the NOx emissions at the port of Antwerp originate from moored ships. As such, shore power is the only technology available for reducing marine emissions from container vessels and contributing to better local air quality and less environmental noise.

Without doubt shipping must also do its part in the fight against climate change. To invest in emission-free drives that have an impact both at sea and in ports is the best solution. Together with Haropa Port, Antwerp, Rotterdam and Hamburg, we are sending therefore an important signal: for fair competition, for clean shipping and clean supply chains, for maritime climate protection,

…stated Robert Howe, CEO Bremerhaven.

Considering the size and energy demand of ships, the deployment of OPS requires large investments and requires technological challenges to be overcome. These mainly relate to frequency conversion, grid connections and flexibility needs, which, together with a lack of public funding, the uncertainty regarding the use of the installation and the price difference between bunker fuels and electricity, constitute just a few of the many hurdles that are delaying the uptake of this available and proven technology.

This is why the ports are calling for a coordinated approach, in order to reduce CAPEX costs through innovation and to provide clarity that will stimulate the shipping sector to equip vessels, to make it possible for a vessel to make use of OPS in multiple ports and to create a level playing field for OPS usage in their respective ports.

This initiative fits perfectly with our strategy and will completing our already ongoing projects on maritime cruise terminal in Le Havre and along the Seine from Paris to Le Havre passing by Rouen for inland cruise and inland freight vessels,

…said Stéphane Raison, CEO Haropa Port.

Our MoU is a great example on how the biggest European Ports take the initiative to make transportation more sustainable. It is a first step towards a “Zero Emission at Berth” standard – more will follow. To succeed we need the broad support of all stakeholders involved, especially our port cities, terminal operators and the ship-owners,

…noted Jens Meier, CEO Port of Hamburg.

Rotterdam has already realized several shore power projects. Our plan is to execute some ten more, bigger scale projects in the next few years and then to scale up based on the experience we’ve gained. I support international cooperation in this area, because it will help all of us to learn from one another, reduce costs, achieve economies of scale, speed up the application of on shore power supply while maintaining an equal playing field,

…added Allard Castelein, CEO Port of Rotterdam.