ICO Launches Belgium’s First Commercial Shore Power Facility for RoRo Ships
Chennai:
Port Wings News Network:
International Car Operators N.V. (ICO), a member of the NYK Group, has commenced operation of the first shore power facility for roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels at the port of Zeebrugge, Belgium.
Following a successful test phase in early June, during which all technical specifications were validated, the first vessel, a pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) operated by NYK, was connected to the system and supplied with electricity. This marks the first commercial operation of a shore power system for RoRo vessels in Belgium, as well as the first use of shore power by the NYK Group for a PCTC at berth.
Shore power enables moored ships to be supplied with electricity from the terminal, allowing onboard generators to be shut down. Ships can therefore run on renewable energy during their stay in port, significantly reducing CO₂ emissions, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, while contributing to better air quality in and around the port. The facility currently has the capacity to supply power to one ship at a time, with the potential to expand capacity in the future.
The project was made possible in part by a grant from the Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VLAIO), underscoring the importance of collaboration between industry and government in the development of a sustainable and future-proof port.
All electricity supplied to ships is entirely green. ICO generates this power via its on-site wind farm of 11 turbines. ICO also provides the necessary connections and cabling, enabling even ships without onboard shore power infrastructure to use the system.
With this investment, ICO is anticipating the future and the continued greening of the shipping industry. The installation helps prepare Zeebrugge for the next generation of greener ships and strengthens the port’s role in the energy transition. “This investment confirms ICO’s ambition to play a pioneering role in a sustainable and competitive port environment, both in Belgium and internationally,” said Alain Guillemyn, managing director of ICO. These investments support the ambition to keep Zeebrugge and Belgium firmly on the international logistics map.
The launch of shore power marks a new milestone in ICO’s broader sustainability strategy and for Europe’s RoRo industry. Previous investments in electrification have already been made, with more than 600 charging stations for electric vehicles, 12,600 m² of solar panels at the terminal, and an automated parking tower for 10,000 cars. Through these efforts, ICO continues to advance toward its ambition to fully transition to renewable energy and to permanently reduce the ecological footprint of its operations.
International Car Operators (ICO) is a global player in roll-on/roll-off cargo handling and storage. Our services not only include the efficient loading and unloading of cars, construction equipment, and breakbulk cargo but also extend to vehicle handling, vehicle conversion, ship agency, and the full handling of customs obligations.
Founded in 1984, the company handles more than 2.5 million vehicles annually, with terminals in Zeebrugge and Antwerp. This is due to its strategic location at the heart of the European automotive industry. ICO is therefore recognized as a crucial link in the logistics chain of the world’s leading car brands and RoRo shipping companies. ICO distinguishes itself by completely unburdening car dealers.
The company acts as a one-stop shop for everything related to the unloading and storage of vehicles, vehicle handling, vehicle modification, and the transportation of goods. As a subsidiary of Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK), a leading logistics company, ICO has more than 1,000 dedicated employees working in Zeebrugge and Antwerp.
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