Rotterdam Shore Power and Rotterdam Shortsea Terminals (RST) have signed a cooperation agreement for the development of shore power at the RST terminal in the Port of Rotterdam, with the aim of supplying electricity to vessels at berth from 2030 onwards.

The agreement, signed last week, sets out a framework for the two organisations to work together over the coming months to advance the project. According to Rotterdam Shore Power, the initiative is intended to support RST in meeting the requirements of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), the European Union regulation that mandates shore power provision at major ports for certain vessel categories.

Shore power, also referred to as cold ironing or onshore power supply, allows vessels to connect to the local electricity grid while at berth, enabling them to switch off their auxiliary engines and reduce exhaust emissions in port.

The AFIR, which entered into force as part of the EU’s broader FuelEU Maritime and European Green Deal legislative package, sets out mandatory timelines for ports and ship operators to provide and use shore power connections, with obligations phasing in across different vessel and port categories in the years ahead.

Rotterdam Shore Power said the project would contribute to “cleaner and more sustainable port operations” at RST, which operates as a shortsea and feeder terminal within the port complex.