The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending €90 million to the Port of Rotterdam Authority to install shore power facilities at three deep-sea container terminals, as detailed in an EIB press release. The loan supports Rotterdam Shore Power, a joint venture with energy company Eneco, covering grid connections, cabling, and construction across eight kilometres of quay with 35 connection points for container vessels. An additional €70 million EU grant under the Connecting Europe Facility rounds out the funding package.
Today, large container ships docked in port still run diesel engines or fossil fuel generators for onboard power, producing CO₂, noise, and particulate pollution. Shore power lets vessels plug into the grid instead, cutting emissions at berth and improving air quality for nearby communities. EIB Vice-President Robert de Groot noted the investment reduces fossil fuel dependence and strengthens Europe’s energy autonomy at a time when geopolitics make that more urgent than ever.
Port of Rotterdam Chief Financial Officer Vivienne de Leeuw said shore power is essential to the port’s goal of climate-neutral operations by 2050 while staying competitive as northwest Europe’s main container hub. European Commission representative Cecilia Thorfinn added that the Connecting Europe Facility grants support the ambitious rollout of alternative fuel infrastructure that Europe’s transport network needs. Shore power installations are expected to come online in phases from the second half of 2028.
