Antwerp Euroterminal (AET) is installing the first green shore power connection for seagoing vessels in Belgium in order to provide docked vessels in the port with electricity in an environmentally friendly and quiet way.
The installation will be operational in 2026 and will be built according to international ISO standards. Two fixed shore power connections will be installed at the Grimaldi-owned AET for car carriers and con-ro vessels. AET is Europe’s largest multipurpose terminal and although the European obligation to provide shore power for container vessels by 2030 does not apply to ro-ro and con-ro vessels, AET has deliberately chosen to provide it anyway.
HOPaS (High voltage Onshore Power As a Service) is a technology and service consortium comprising Techelec, Yuso, and Whitewood that will handle the investment, installation, and operation of the future onshore power solution at AET, facilitated by the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
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 €25m to €30m investment, to which the Flemish agency for innovation (VLAIO) granted a €4m subsidy. The 100% Green electricity is initially produced by three wind turbines installed on the terminal site and operated by Wind aan de Stroom. Extra capacity will be produced by solar panels on the roof of the multilevel parking garage of the terminal and two extra wind turbines that are planned to be installed at the terminal. The produced green energy will be stored into a large battery system.
For Port of Antwerp-Bruges, shore power is an important part of the greening of the port. Connection points for quayside electricity are already available for barges and tugs, and in Zeebrugge quayside electricity will be available for cruise ships from 2026. Port of Antwerp-Bruges is committed to providing shore power for the largest container ships by 2028.
Annick De Ridder, President of the board of directors of Port of Antwerp-Bruges said: “Shore power is a very efficient measure to reduce emissions and is essential for our sustainable ambitions as a world port. 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 AET said: “This solution opens a door to a new dimension in the ecofriendly focus of AET and Grimaldi.”
Image: Antwerp Euroterminal will provide the first green shore power in Belgium for deep-sea ships (source: Port of Antwerp-Bruges)
