Belgian and Dutch ports partner on cold ironing

The Port of Rotterdam Authority, the Port of Amsterdam, North Sea Port Netherlands, Drechtsteden, the Port of Antwerp and De Vlaamse Waterweg intend to set up a single shore-based power system for inland shipping and the river cruise industry. 

The move is expected to contribute to the user-friendliness of shore power facilities, the partners say.

On behalf of all these ‘Walstroompartijen’ (Shore-based Power Parties), the Port of Rotterdam Authority has published a European call for bids, which will ultimately lead to the selection of a contractor for these services.

The project partners hope that the new standardisation will be adopted by ‘many other countries’ besides Belgium and the Netherlands. It is also anticipated that other parties that offer shore-based power could join the new agreement.

As ship.energy previously reported, this week, the Port of Rotterdam unveiled an ambitious shore-based power strategy which calls for a ‘significant share’ of seagoing vessels connecting to shore power at the Dutch port by 2030.