Rotterdam Shortsea Terminals (RST) and Samskip have joined forces to launch Green Shore Power initiative, which aims to reduce CO2 emissions produced by vessels docked by providing new clean shore powered energy solutions.
The shore power solution is the first of its kind in the Dutch ports. The celebration of this milestone event was on 21 July, where delegations from Samskip, RST, Port of Rotterdam (HBR), Municipality of Rotterdam and Harbour Electronical Services (HES) gathered.
During the celebration, “Samskip Innovator” provided an onsite demonstration of the smooth transition between ship power and the new shore power.
The new shore power endeavor was largely possible through the expertise of HES which prepared and outfitted Samskip’s shortsea vessel “Innovator” to receive shore power. The power supply unit at the quay of RST has been installed by Jolectra.
Onshore power supply systems are important for the shipping industry’s decarbonisation and, given that docked vessels currently leave their engines running to generate onboard electricity while burning gasoil constantly, their impact becomes clear.
For the entire shipping sector, shore-side electricity is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 5 megatons of CO2 per year (3.7% of global shipping emissions).
With this innovation, Samskip also proceeds with its preparation for the FuelEU Maritime regulation, which will require shore-power connectivity from 2030 on.
Samskip’s head of vessel management, Erik Hofmeester commented, “There are many ways to reduce CO2, such as: Samskip vessels using bio-fuel, the CO2 capturing systems also installed on Samskip vessels, WASP (Wind Assisted Ships Propulsion) and last but not least shore power. Green shore power facilitates clean and silent ship-operations in the ports of Rotterdam.”
