Work officially got under way to construct a shore power installation at the cruise terminal at the Zweedse Kaai in Zeebrugge. From early 2027 onwards, cruise ships docking there will be able to switch to green electricity from the shore. Not only will this reduce quayside emissions to zero, but the odor nuisance and visual disturbance caused to local residents, passengers, and crew will be significantly less.

Shore power to be available before 2030

Shore power converts electricity from the grid to the right voltage for ships. Cruise ships are plugged in via a movable loading arm. After that, they can turn off their engines and use power from the shore. To make that a reality, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is building an Onshore Power Supply (OPS) and a new high-voltage substation at the cruise terminal at the Zweedse Kaai in Zeebrugge. This means that the port will be ready to provide shore power to two cruise ships simultaneously by 2027 – three years before shore power becomes compulsory in 2030. The works to construct the facility have now started, so the first ships will be able to connect during the first half of 2027. Meanwhile, plans are already on the table for a second installation.

The transformation of the Zweedse Kaai

The shore power installation forms part of a broader renovation of the Zweedse Kaai that includes a new terminal building with boarding bridges, a battery system and the redevelopment of part of the quay into green space. These modifications will not only increase operational efficiency, but also the livability of the surrounding area.

Gains for local residents and our climate

At the moment, the Zweedse Kaai accounts for about 5% of the CO₂ emissions from all ships at the quays in Antwerp and Zeebrugge because the cruise ships at the quay generate electricity using diesel generators. Shore power does away with those emissions locally and also reduces odor nuisance and visual disturbance caused by the generation of smoke. By carrying out this project, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is therefore helping to improve the livability of the environment and is making its contribution towards the greening of the cruise industry. The project itself can also serve as a reference for other terminal operators.

An EU priority, backed by Flanders

In line with the Green Deal, the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy and the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), the European Commission is prioritizing shore power projects within the project call that forms part of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) program of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). To finance the shore power installation, it provided €3.1 million of funding, in order to cover the higher-than-estimated cost and to ensure a payback period of around 20 years. In addition, the Flemish government awarded €830,000 in strategic ecology support.

Setting a sustainable course towards 2050

The shore power project forms part of Port of Antwerp-Bruges' ambition to be climate neutral by 2050. In parallel to that scheme, investments are also being made in alternative fuels for tugs, additional electrification, energy-efficient buildings and circular economy projects. Shore power will also help shipping companies fulfil the climate commitments of the International Maritime Organization and the EU in a cost-effective way.

Rob Smeets, COO Port of Antwerp-Bruges: “Shore power will enable us to reduce emissions at the cruise terminal to zero while providing more comfortable conditions for passengers, crews and local residents. From 2027, ‘plug-in on arrival’ will become a reality in Zeebrugge, even before it becomes compulsory in Europe in 2030.”

Dirk De fauw, the mayor of Bruges and Deputy Chair of the Board of Port of Antwerp-Bruges: “ This project combines state-of-the-art infrastructure with quality of life by reducing emissions, odor and the generation of smoke. We purposefully set out to provide a future-proof port for cruise vessels that welcomes visitors without burdening the environment. By doing so, we are proving that sustainability and economic dynamism can go hand in hand. ”

Mark Dirckx, CEO Equans Belux: “ This project perfectly illustrates the role that Equans Belux is seeking to play in the energy transition that is taking place in the maritime sector. By acting as a single point of contact, we provide our client with a full-service solution that combines technical performance, reliability and sustainability. By providing shore power, we are helping to reduce emissions and improve the quality of life around the port, while paving the way towards the future of maritime transportation.”