Antwerp-Bruges launches shore power development in Zeebrugge
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges has begun constructing a shore power facility at the cruise terminal on the Zweedse Kaai in Zeebrugge.
IMAGE: An illustration of shore power facility at the cruise terminal on the Zweedse Kaai in Zeebrugge. Port of Antwerp-Bruges
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges expects cruise ships docking there to be able to switch to shore-based electricity from early 2027.
The port is building an onshore power supply (OPS) facility and a new high-voltage substation at the cruise terminal on the Zweedse Kaai in Zeebrugge, which will allow two cruise ships to connect simultaneously by 2027.
The first vessels are expected to plug in during the first half of 2027.
“Shore power will enable us to reduce emissions at the cruise terminal to zero while providing more comfortable conditions for passengers, crews, and local residents,” said Rob Smeets, chief operating officer of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
EU aiding OPS momentum in Europe
Under the EU’s Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), all major coastal and inland ports within the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) must provide shore power for container and passenger ships by the end of 2029.
In addition, FuelEU Maritime requires all ships over 5,000 gross tonnage (GT) to connect to shore power when berthed at TEN-T ports from 2030.
This month, several ports announced related initiatives. The Port of Moerdijk in the Netherlands and its partners signed an agreement to build a new charging station for inland vessels. The Swedish Port of Helsingborg also announced plans to launch a shore power facility for container ships.
In Spain, the Bilbao Port Authority awarded a €11.48 million (around $13.27 million) contract to install solar photovoltaic (PV) plants that will support its onshore power supply (OPS) system.
Meanwhile, the Port of Hamburg said it will equip all of its cruise terminals with shore power facilities by 2027 and expects ships to make use of them.
By Tuhin Roy
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