International Car Operators NV (ICO), member of the NYK Group, has launched the first shore-side power supply installation for /Roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessels at the Port of Zeebrugge, Belgium.
Following a testing phase in early June, during which all technical specifications were validated, the first vessel, a Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) operated by NYK, was connected to the system and received power supply. This marks the first commercial operation of a shore-side power supply system for Ro-Ro vessels in Belgium, as well as the first use of this service by the NYK Group for a berthed PCTC.
Shore-side power supply allows berthed vessels to receive electricity from the terminal, enabling the shutdown of onboard generators. In this way, ships can operate on renewable energy during their stay in port, significantly reducing CO?, nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions, while contributing to better air quality in the terminal and its surroundings. Currently, the installation has the capacity to supply power to one vessel at a time, with potential for expansion in the future.
The project was made possible in part by a grant from the Flanders Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VLAIO), underscoring the importance of collaboration between industry and government in developing a sustainable and future-proof port.
All electricity supplied to vessels is completely green. ICO generates this energy through its own 11-turbine wind farm and provides the necessary connections and cabling, allowing even vessels without onboard shore-side power infrastructure to use the system.
“With this investment, ICO is anticipating the future and the ongoing transition towards a more sustainable shipping industry. The installation helps prepare Zeebrugge for the next generation of greener vessels and strengthens the port’s role in the energy transition. ‘This investment confirms ICO’s ambition to play a pioneering role in a sustainable and competitive port environment, both in Belgium and internationally,’ said Alain Guillemyn, Managing Director of ICO.
The commissioning of shore power marks a new milestone in ICO’s broader sustainability strategy and for the Ro-Ro industry in Europe. Previous investments in electrification have already been made, with over 600 charging stations for electric vehicles, 12,600 m² of solar panels at the terminal, and an automated parking tower for 10,000 cars.
