An Onshore Power Supply (OPS) and a new high-voltage substation are being built by the Port of Antwerp-Bruges to make shore power a reality at the cruise terminal at the Zweedse Kaai in Zeebrugge. By 2027, the port will be able to provide shore power to two cruise ships at the same time, three years before it becomes a requirement.
The Transformation of the Zweedse Kaai
The shore power installation is part of a larger makeover of the Zweedse Kaai. The renovation also includes a new terminal building with boarding bridges, a battery system, and the conversion of a portion of the quay into green space. These changes will not only boost operational efficiency but also make the neighborhood more livable.
Benefits for Local Residents and the Environment
The Zweedse Kaai is responsible for about 5% of all CO₂ emissions from ships at the quays in Antwerp and Zeebrugge. This is because cruise ships at the quay use diesel generators to create electricity. Shore power eliminates these local emissions and also lessens the smell and visible pollution that comes with them. The Port of Antwerp-Bruges is helping to make the environment more livable and is contributing to a greener cruise industry by completing this project. The project can also serve as an example for other terminal operators.
Funding and Support for the Project
The European Commission is prioritizing shore power projects as part of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) program of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). This is in line with the Green Deal and other EU initiatives. To help pay for the shore power installation, it gave €3.1 million in funding. The Flemish government also gave €830,000 in strategic ecology support.
A Sustainable Plan for the Future
This shore power project is part of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ goal to be climate neutral by 2050. At the same time, money is being put into other things like alternative fuels for tugboats, more electrification, buildings that use less energy, and projects that are part of the circular economy. The new shore power system will also help shipping companies meet the climate goals of the International Maritime Organization and the EU in a way that is good for their bottom line. Rob Smeets, the COO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, said that shore power will get rid of emissions at the cruise terminal and make things better for passengers, crews, and people who live nearby. He also said that by 2027, “plug-in on arrival” will be a reality in Zeebrugge, even before it is required in Europe in 2030.
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Port of Antwerp
