Rotterdam secures €90m EIB loan for shore power rollout

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending €90 million ($104 million) to the Port of Rotterdam Authority to install shore power at three deep-sea container terminals.

Rotterdam secures €90m EIB loan for shore power rollout

The funding supports Rotterdam Shore Power, a joint venture with Eneco, covering grid connections, cabling and associated civil works.

In total, 8 kilometres (km) of quay will be equipped with 35 connection points for container vessels.

The project is also eligible for around €70 million ($81 million) from the European Commission under the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).

EIB Vice-President, Robert de Groot, said: “Rotterdam is Europe’s most important port and continues to innovate to stay at the forefront. Connecting large containerships to shore power is a major step towards reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.

“This is not only good for the environment, air quality and public health, but also for our economy, as it will help Europe become less dependent on energy from far away. The geopolitical situation makes it clear that Europe needs to become more autonomous when it comes to its energy supply.”

Vivienne de Leeuw, Chief Financial Officer of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, stated: “Shore power plays a vital role in the energy transition. As the port of Rotterdam works towards climate-neutral operations by 2050, while safeguarding its competitive position, investments like this are indispensable. They bring our climate goals within reach and reinforce the port’s role as a sustainable, future-proof container hub in north-west Europe.”

Cecilia Thorfinn, Acting Head of the Commission Representation in the Netherlands, added: “The current geopolitical context forces Europe to make critical choices if it is to remain competitive while also becoming energy independent.

“For the Port of Rotterdam, as Europe’s largest port, more sustainable transport is essential to staying connected. Through Connecting Europe Facility grants, the European Commission is supporting the ambitious rollout of the alternative fuel infrastructure needed to make this happen.”

Shore power enables ships to switch off onboard generators while berthed, reducing CO2 emissions, noise and air pollution. Delivery is planned in phases from the second half of 2028.

Recently, the Port of Rotterdam increased revenue but saw profit edge lower in 2025, as higher costs and a one-off impairment offset income gains while the organisation continued to invest in infrastructure and energy transition projects.