BELGIUM’S FIRST SHORE POWER CONNECTIONS FOR SEAGOING VESSELS COMING TO ANTWERP EUROTERMINAL
Written by Rhys Berry
Antwerp Europeterminal (AET) is set to install the first shore power connection for seagoing vessels in Belgium.
Two fixed shore power connections will be installed at the Antwerp Euroterminal (AET) - Europe's largest multipurpose terminal and one of 24 terminals of the Grimaldi Group - for car carriers and Con-Ro vessels, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges said in a statement 29 May.
Scheduled for completion in 2026, the installation foresees two shore connections with a total capacity of 5MW primarily for Grimaldi's new Ro-Ro vessels. The commissioned projects will carry a €25 to €30 million investment, to which the Flemish agency for innovation (VLAIO) granted a €4 million subsidy.The Belgian port highlighted that the installation is also designed for future proof expansion, enabling additional vessels to connect.The 100% green electricity is initially 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 windmill turbines that are planned 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.‘Shore power is a very efficient measure to reduce emissions and is essential for our sustainable ambitions as a world port,’ said Annick De Ridder, President of the board of directors of Port of Antwerp-Bruges. ‘This first shore power installation for deep-sea vessels will be installed on the Antwerp Euroterminal and will be operational as of 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. It is also a nice example of the role of facilitator we take upon us.’
Yves De Larivière, CEO van Antwerp Euroterminal, added: ‘We already have plugs for our e-bikes, cars and soon trucks. Plugging our vessels will be a great next step. This solution opens a door to a new dimension in the ecofriendly focus of AET and Grimaldi.’numerous connection points for quayside electricity are already available for barges and tugs at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. As Bunkerspot reported last month, in Zeebrugge, quayside electricity will be available for cruise ships from 2026. The Port of Antwerp-Bruges says it is also committed to providing shore power for the largest container ships by 2028.
Source : bunkerspot