ABB has been selected to engineer and construct shore power systems for the Port of Rotterdam, the company announced.
The project will provide a total capacity of 100 MVA to three container terminals and is expected to become the largest shore power installation in the world, ABB said.
In December, ABB signed contracts for the work with Rotterdam Shore Power (RSP), a joint venture established by the Port of Rotterdam and energy company Eneco. The value of the agreement was not disclosed.
As part of the deal, ABB will install infrastructure at 35 connection points across the APM Terminals Maasvlakte II facility and the Hutchison Ports ECT Delta and Hutchison Ports ECT Euromax terminals. The scope also covers on-site commissioning and testing, as well as a multi-year service agreement for each terminal.
The systems will enable charging for up to 32 container ships simultaneously while vessels are alongside during loading and unloading operations.
Operations are scheduled to start in the second half of 2028. The installation is intended to cut emissions within the port area and help terminals meet the FuelEU Maritime Regulation.
“We are excited to work together with ABB on this breakthrough project for RSP,” said Ina Barge and Tiemo Arkesteijn, co-CEOs of Rotterdam Shore Power. “Based on deep knowledge and a proven track record, we can help make shore power available to all vessels calling at the APMT and ECT terminals at the Port of Rotterdam, reducing carbon dioxide emissions substantially as a result. Rotterdam is a frontrunner in electrification at this scale.”
RSP projects that using shore power for at least 90% of vessels’ moored time could reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions at the three deep-sea container terminals by an estimated 96,000 metric tonnes from 2030.
