Dutch government allocates €180 million to shore power installations

The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure has 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.

PHOTO: Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Mark Harbers (second from left) at deal signing with port representatives. IenW

The deal to roll out shore power was signed between Mark Harbers, the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW), and the port organisation Branche Organisatie Zeehavens (BOZ).

Harber believes that “in order to achieve the climate goals, it is essential that all sectors make their contribution, including the maritime sector.”

The parties also drew attention to the forthcoming Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), which will compel the European ports to provide so-called AFIR ships with shore power from 2030. These vessels include container ships, cruise ships, passenger ships and RoRo vessels from 5,000 GT (gross tonnes) and above.

Although the funding is primarily for ports impacted by AFIR, other shore power projects can also be eligible.

According to BOZ, “some 270 megawatts of shore power capacity will have to be installed in the ports for the AFIR ships in the coming years in order to meet the upcoming obligation.”

BOZ estimates this will result in “a CO2 reduction of more than 220 kilotons per year, and a 2.5 kiloton NOX reduction.”

The five major ports of the Netherlands - Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Groningen, Moerdijk and North Sea Port (Vlissingen, Terneuzen and Ghent) – will collaborate with IenW to bring the plan to fruition.

“Shore power offers many benefits to society, such as the reduction of emissions of CO2, NOx, particulate matter and noise,” BOZ chairman Boudewijn Siemons added.

By Tuhin Roy

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