International Car Operators (ICO) signed an agreement with the Belgian port of Zeebrugge for a 54-hectare expansion of the Bastenaken car terminal. The expansion will connect Bastenaken with the Hanze terminal. As part of the expansion, ICO aims to supply electricity to charge future terminal handling equipment.
The new terminal will cover 200 hectares, increasing the total at Zeebrugge to 300 hectares, connecting Bastenaken with the Hanze terminal. The expansion will make the traffic at the terminal easier, as it will enter through a newly constructed gate building.
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Moreover, with this project ICO wants to improve its environmental footprint, as it will use solar panels and LED lighting, as well as 12 wind turbines next year. This power will be used to supply a number of electrical loading stations, as the electric car sales are increasing.
Furthermore, electricity will be used to charge future terminal handling equipment. ICO’s plan is to offer power to all vessels berthing at the ICO terminals. This way, ships will be able to shut down their engines completely during port operations.
Last year, ICO completed another 30-hectare expansion at Zeebrugge. The port handled a total of 2.8m vehicles last year and ICO expects the Nordic market to develop rapidly over the next three to five years.
