Rotterdam Shore Power (RSP) - Shore Power Infrastructure for Deep-sea Container Terminals
Rotterdam, Netherlands · 2025 · Rotterdam Shore Power (RSP) — joint venture between Port of Rotterdam Authority and Eneco, with engineering and construction by ABB
The project significantly reduces dependence on fossil fuels at Europe's largest container port. It also prepares Rotterdam for compliance with the FuelEU Maritime Regulation, which will require large vessels to use shore-side electricity while berthed from 2030 onwards. Additional impacts include: Improved air quality. Elimination of noise pollution during port operations. Better working and living conditions in port areas. Increased energy independence through reduced dependence on imported fossil fuels. Strong public acceptance due to direct health and environmental benefits.
Highlight
Direct industrial electrification at the Port of Rotterdam, enabling deep-sea container ships to switch off auxiliary engines while berthed and significantly reducing emissions at Europe's largest container port.
Extended description
The Shore Power Infrastructure project consists of the large-scale installation of electrical connection systems enabling deep-sea container ships to connect to the local electricity network while alongside the quay.
This allows vessels to switch off their auxiliary engines during port operations, eliminating direct emissions of CO₂, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and noise while berthed.
The project is being implemented through Rotterdam Shore Power (RSP), a joint venture between the Port of Rotterdam Authority and the energy company Eneco.
ABB has been selected as the engineering, procurement, construction and maintenance partner responsible for delivering the electrical infrastructure.
The project is supported financially by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Commission through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).
The solution is considered unique because of its global scale and its capacity to simultaneously serve three of the largest container terminals in the Port of Rotterdam:
APM Terminals Maasvlakte II
Hutchison Ports ECT Delta
Hutchison Ports ECT Euromax
The system incorporates advanced SCADA control systems for energy monitoring, billing management and integration with renewable electricity sources.
The project also represents a large-scale public-private partnership supported by substantial international financing and aligned with upcoming European maritime regulations.
Demonstrated metrics
More than 100 MVA total installed capacity.
Largest shore power project of its kind worldwide.
8 kilometres of quay equipped.
35 shore power connection points.
Capacity to supply electricity to 32 vessels simultaneously.
Estimated annual reduction of 96,000 tonnes of CO₂ from 2030 onwards, assuming ships use shore power during 90% of their berthing time.
Real impact
The project significantly reduces dependence on fossil fuels at Europe's largest container port.
It also prepares Rotterdam for compliance with the FuelEU Maritime Regulation, which will require large vessels to use shore-side electricity while berthed from 2030 onwards.
Additional impacts include:
Improved air quality.
Elimination of noise pollution during port operations.
Better working and living conditions in port areas.
Increased energy independence through reduced dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Strong public acceptance due to direct health and environmental benefits.
Implementation location & date
Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands
Locations:
APM Terminals Maasvlakte II
Hutchison Ports ECT Delta
Hutchison Ports ECT Euromax
Timeline:
Contracts signed: late 2025
Operational deployment: second half of 2028
Comparable initiatives:
- Collaboration between Rotterdam and Singapore on Green & Digital Shipping Corridors.
Similar cases elsewhere
Comparable initiatives include:
Green & Digital Shipping Corridor between Rotterdam and Singapore.
Shore power programmes being developed in other international ports.
Zero-emission maritime fuel initiatives promoted through ZEMBA (Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance).
The solution is highly replicable thanks to its prefabricated, scalable design, which minimizes operational disruption during installation.
Positive Co-benefits
Environmental & Social
Elimination of noise pollution.
Improved air quality.
Better working and living conditions around the port.
Economic
Increased energy independence.
Reduced dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Challenges
Electricity grid congestion.
High upfront investment.
Profitability dependent on public support during initial deployment.
Additional Information
Why is it different?
Largest shore power project in the world.
Simultaneously serves the three largest container terminals in Rotterdam.
Large-scale public-private partnership.
Supported by €160 million in loans and grants.
Fully aligned with future FuelEU Maritime requirements.
Why has it worked?
Strong strategic alignment between the Port Authority and energy companies.
Guaranteed public funding.
Support from European regulations.
International institutional backing.