According to news from the shipping industry, recently, International Car Operators (ICO), a subsidiary of NYK Line, completed the construction of Belgium’s first shore power facility suitable for /roll-off ships at the Port of Zeebrugge, and it has officially entered commercial operation.
It is reported that the facility was put into use after completing full-process testing and passing verification of various technical indicators earlier this month. The first vessel to connect to this shore power system was a pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) operated by NYK Line. This project achieves two major breakthroughs: it is the first commercial shore power project for ro-ro ships in Belgium, and it marks the first time a car carrier under NYK Line has used shore power while berthed.
When a ship connects to shore power while berthed, it can shut down its diesel auxiliary engines, significantly reducing emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate pollutants. Currently, this shore power unit can only supply power to one ship at a time, with预留 space for future expansion and upgrades.
All electricity supplied by the entire system comes from renewable energy sources, relying on self-generated power from 11 wind turbines within the ICO facility. The company has also provided complete cables and connection hardware, allowing ships that are not equipped with shore power adaptation equipment to use the facility.
It is reported that this project received financial support from the Flanders Innovation and Entrepreneurship Agency (VLAIO).
ICO stated that this investment is an important measure in the company’s long-term layout for the green and low-carbon transformation of the shipping industry, and this shore power facility will also help the port adapt to the operational needs of the next generation of low-emission ships.
ICO Managing Director Alain Guillemyn said: “This investment demonstrates ICO’s development vision. We strive to create a benchmark port operating environment with sustainable development capabilities and competitiveness in Belgium and even globally, playing a pioneering role in the industry.”
This shore power project is an important part of the terminal’s overall sustainable development plan. The supporting facilities in the park also include more than 600 electric vehicle charging piles, 12,600 square meters of photovoltaic panels, and an automated multi-story parking garage capable of storing 10,000 vehicles.
Founded in 1984, ICO relies on two terminals at the Port of Zeebrugge and the Port of Antwerp, with an annual vehicle transshipment volume of over 2.5 million units, making it a leading ro-ro cargo operator in Europe.
