Rotterdam moves towards shore power for cruise ships

The Port of Rotterdam aims to reduce emissions by connecting 90% of cruise ships arriving in the port to shore power by 2030.

PHOTO: Queen-Victoria at the Holland America Quay of Cruise Port Rotterdam (Willem van Kasteren). Port of Rotterdam

The Netherland's Municipal Executive has decided to invest in a shore power system for the Cruise Port Rotterdam (CPR), expecting it to be commissioned by 2024.

Presently, there is no shore power supply system in Rotterdam. The port relies on CO2-emitting generators to power vessels.

CPR intends to use an interest-free loan of €8.75 million ($9.60 million) to cover half the costs of the expansion, and expects to fund the other half through subsidies.

“The installation of shore power at CPR fits in with the port authority’s policy to work together with the companies and the municipality on the port’s energy transition. Shore power plays an important role in this”, says the Port Authority of Rotterdam’s chief Allard Castelein.

The fellow Dutch Port of Amsterdam has initiated similar plans to cut emissions from cruise ships. From 2030 onwards, the port will only allow cruise ships to operate with zero-emissions at the quay. It will then target other vessel types towards a zero-emission 2050 deadline.