Antwerp-Bruges Port Authority is to introduce shore power facilities for cruise ships at the Zweedse Kai, Zeebrugge, Belgium,
This will allow the switch to green electricity from the high-voltage grid at the quay.
This is a first for cruise ships in Zeebrugge, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges said, explaining that eliminating the need for ships to run diesel generators will reduce CO2 and particulate matter emissions by 98% and 95%, respectively.
Work on the shore power installation is scheduled to start this Autumn. By 2030, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges plans to install shore power facilities for two cruise ships in Zeebrugge, the first of which is expected to be operational in 2027.
The Port Authority is also investing in new infrastructure for cruise ships, including a new terminal building and the redevelopment of the quay area.
A study for the new infrastructure will commence this year and the construction will take place in 2027/2028. The new terminal should be operational by spring 2029.
The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) is providing a European grant of €3.2 mill for the shore power facility, and additional grant opportunities for terminal modernisation are being explored.
Rob Smeets, Port of Antwerp-Bruges COO, said: “This project is all about preparing our port for the future. Our mission is clear: the Port of Zeebrugge must not only be an economic engine, but also a pioneer in sustainability and efficiency.”
Dirk De fauw, Mayor of Bruges and Vice Chairman of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges Board, added: “The transformation of Zweedse Kaai not only encompasses advances in our infrastructure, but is also an important step towards a more sustainable future.”
