Shore power for the port of Rotterdam with Invest-NL investment

Invest-NL is providing €25 million in financing to Rotterdam World Gateway (RWG) to install a shore power facility. This will enable moored ships to use green electricity instead of polluting diesel generators. According to Invest-NL, the facility could eventually reduce CO₂ emissions by 23 kilotons per year.

RWG is a leading global company with a fully automated container terminal. The sustainability drive is essential for RWG to remain future-proof in international shipping, a sector that is difficult to green.

The shore power supply will be installed at all RWG berths on Maasvlakte 2. It is expected that from 2030 onwards, virtually all large seagoing vessels calling at RWG will be able to use the electrical infrastructure instead of diesel generators. This will contribute substantially to reducing NOx and CO₂ emissions and improving air quality and noise levels in the port area.

European capital for sustainability

With this financing, Invest-NL enables RWG to apply for European subsidies through the AFIF program – the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility program. This is a European financing instrument aimed at supporting the rollout of infrastructure for alternative fuels. In this way, Invest-NL connects public and private parties and provides access to European capital.

Ronald Lugthart, CEO of RWG: “Thanks in part to the funding from Invest-NL, RWG is able to install shore power ahead of schedule, thereby reducing emissions from moored ships to zero in the shortest possible time. This investment project ties in with various other ongoing initiatives by RWG, which will make it the first container terminal in the world to achieve completely emission-free operations within four years.”

Invest-NL broadens scope to established companies

“RWG is a good example of an established company that continues to become more sustainable and dares to take steps,” says Jeroen Junge, senior investment manager at Invest-NL. "With this funding, we are showing that Invest-NL can also make a difference in this segment by providing targeted capital and relevant expertise and making European capital accessible.

This financing is in line with Invest-NL's broader ambition to accelerate societal transitions, such as the electrification of the energy supply, together with established companies. Through targeted financing and substantive guidance, Invest-NL enables companies that are part of the established economy to become more sustainable.