The Port of Rotterdam is moving ahead with the world’s largest shore power project, selecting ABB to build and maintain onshore electricity systems at three major deep-sea container terminals.
Under the agreement, ABB will design, construct, commission, and maintain dedicated shore power installations at APM Terminals Maasvlakte II, Hutchison Ports ECT Delta, and Hutchison Ports ECT Euromax. Together, these three terminals cover around eight kilometers of quay and will be equipped with 35 connection points for seagoing container ships during cargo operations. Once fully operational, the system will be capable of supplying electricity to up to 32 vessels at the same time.
The combined capacity of the installations will exceed 100 MVA, making it the largest shore power system currently planned anywhere in the world. ABB will install tens of kilometers of high-, medium-, and low-voltage cables, as well as converter stations and fiber-optic lines to support reliable power delivery and monitoring.
ABB will also provide long-term maintenance under multi-year service contracts for each terminal. Construction is expected to begin in the second half of next year, pending final permits and investment decisions. All three terminals targeted to start accommodating ships using shore power from the second half of 2028.
The project is designed to significantly reduce emissions, noise, and local air pollution in one of Europe’s busiest ports. It will also support compliance with the EU’s FuelEU Maritime Regulation, which from January 1, 2030, will require large container and passenger vessels in EU ports to use shore power or equivalent zero-emission technologies.
Rotterdam Shore Power said the goal is to make shore power available to all vessels calling at the APMT and ECT terminals, positioning Rotterdam as a frontrunner in large-scale port electrification.
