The ports of Antwerp, Bremen, Hamburg, Haropa and Rotterdam have announced their joint commitment to supply shore power to the largest container ships by 2028.
The partners believe major steps can be made in the ultra-large container ship segment, which is said to have the most advanced level of shore-side power supply, but also the highest level of berthing emissions.
The ports have signed a memorandum of understanding and will jointly advocate for a regulatory framework for the use of shore-side power or an equivalent alternative.
The ports are also calling for an equivalent valuation of fuels – and in particular the equalization of certain electricity levies and taxes for shore-side energy use with those for marine fuels – and sufficient availability of public funds to carry out these projects. To carry out these projects, the ports are addressing the various political levels, the shipping industry and terminal operators.
“We call on policy makers and stakeholders, both private and public, to join our initiative and set up the right framework to take a step forward in the deployment of shore-side power supply for the benefit of reducing emissions in our ports and further greening the shipping sector,” said Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of the Port of Antwerp.
Shore-side power supply means any technology that enables ships to switch their power supply from ship engines to shore-side electricity, with a preference for clean energy.
