Large ships “plugged in” at Europa Terminal

PSAA and TM Stadsbader Jeco Energies sign contract to build shore power plant

PSA Antwerp and TM Stadsbader Jeco Energies have signed a contract for the construction of a shore power installation at the Europa Terminal. With a power capacity of 7.5 megawatts, up to 100 docked container ships will be able to purchase green power from shore each year. This initiative will contribute to an annual CO₂ reduction of as much as 10,309 tons, comparable to the emissions of about 625 European households.

The total investment in the shore power installation is about 10 million euros, of which up to 4 million euros will be subsidized by the Flemish Agency for Enterprise and Innovation (VLAIO) through the European Union’s REpowerEU initiative.

Renewable energy for docked ships

Even when idle, ships consume significant amounts of energy for lighting, heating and cooling, typically generated by engines running on fuel oil, diesel or other fossil fuels. The new shore power installation will allow ships docking at Europa Terminal to switch to electricity from the high-voltage grid from April 2026. This will result in a significant reduction in CO₂, nitrogen and particulate emissions.

In addition to the installation itself, PSAA is investing in reinforcing the high-voltage connection and in training specialized personnel. The shore power installation itself will include a moving connection point so that PSAA can supply the ships with renewable power at various locations along the quay. 100% green energy will be used because since 2017, all electricity consumed by PSA in Belgium comes from green sources.

Partners in sustainability

According to Jurgen De Wachter, General Manager PSAA container business, “With the planned shore power installation for the Europa Terminal, PSAA is the first container terminal in the Port of Antwerp to offer shore power. We prove once again that committing to greater sustainability is a priority for us.”

The implementing partners also underscore the importance of this innovation. “Our Shorepower team is immensely proud to realize this project. It is a clear example of how our innovative solutions contribute to making the sector more sustainable. We look forward to continuing to bring our knowledge and experience to Shorepower initiatives, both in Belgium and abroad, contributing to a sustainable future.” says Jan Van Nuffel, CEO of Jeco Energies. Dominique Valcke, CEO of Stadsbader Group, adds: “At Stadsbader, we are proud to be part of this innovative and sustainable project. Together we are building the port of the future as well as a more sustainable world, perfectly in line with our corporate values.”