Container ship in first Dutch shore power demo at Rotterdam terminal

Logistic firms Rotterdam Shortsea Terminals (RST) and Samskip have launched a shore power project to reduce CO2 emissions from ships docking at RST's shortsea container terminal in Rotterdam.

PHOTO: The Europoort area in the Port of Rotterdam. Getty Images

The shore power initiative is the first of its kind for a container terminal in Dutch ports, they claim. The container ship Samskip Innovator was connected to shore power for a onsite demonstration when the project was launched on Friday. The Port of Rotterdam Authority and Municipality of Rotterdam also reviewed the demonstration.

Ships need the be prepared to be able to use shore power, and the Dutch engineering firm Harbour Electronical Services (HES) retrofitted the Samskip Innovator. An onshore power supply unit was installed by electrical engineering firm Jolectra at the RST quay.

“There are many ways to reduce CO2, such as: Samskip vessels using bio-fuel, the CO2 capturing systems also installed on Samskip vessels, WASP (Wind Assisted Ships Propulsion) and last but not least shore power,” Samskip vessels’ head of fleet management Erik Hofmeester said.

In May, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure allocated €140 million ($151 million) to install shore power across the country’s ports, and pledged another €40 million ($43 million) from a climate fund.

By Nithin Chandran

Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online