The Netherlands Celebrates Inauguration of First Shore Power Plant for Cruise Ships in Rotterdam

The Netherlands has marked a new ‘milestone’ with the inauguration of the ‘first’ shore power plant for cruise ships at the Port of Rotterdam.

On March 31, 2025, the liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered cruise ship AIDAnova, operated by Carnival Corporation’s AIDA Cruises, made history by becoming the first vessel to connect to the shore power system at the Holland Amerikakade in Cruise Port Rotterdam.

Cruise Port Shore Power, a subsidiary of Cruise Port Rotterdam, aims to connect up to 75% of the cruise ships visiting the port in its first year. This initiative is expected to significantly reduce carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxide (NOx), particulate matter (PM) emissions, and noise pollution.

The installation of the shore power system also positions Cruise Port Shore Power ahead of the EU environmental regulation requiring all cruise vessels in European ports to use shore power by 2030.

“Cruise ships are a valuable source of income, and by disconnecting them from the power grid, we are improving air quality and reducing noise pollution. That is good for the quality of life and our economy. I am proud of this result and would like to thank everyone who worked towards this,” remarked Robert Simons, Alderman for Port & Economy.

Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of Port of Rotterdam Authority, expressed pride in the operation of the shore power installation, stating, “We are proud and delighted that the shore power installation has been put into operation today. After an intensive construction period, we are today taking an important new step in making the Port of Rotterdam and the city more sustainable.”

The shore power installation was constructed by Danish company PowerCon in collaboration with the port, the municipality of Rotterdam, STEDIN, IGUS, and project partners J.P. van Eesteren, Heijmans, Royal HaskoningDHV, and Xylem over a period of twenty-two months.

Not only does the facility include the shore power plant, but it also features a 230-meter-long cable duct in the quay and a 1.5-kilometer sustainable electricity grid connection from Maashaven to Wilhelminakade. The cooling system for the shore power installation will utilize water from the Maas River.

AIDAnova’s presence at the shore power facility signals the start of the season, with plans for a further 31 calls in Rotterdam this year, all to be supplied with shore power.

Dirk Inger, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Communication & Sustainability at AIDA Cruises, emphasized the significance of this development, stating, “We are delighted that our ships can now use shore power in Rotterdam and switch off the main engines while docked. The new shore power system is another step for all of us on the path to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

Inger also revealed that AIDA Cruises utilized shore power at 360 port calls in 2024, a fivefold increase compared to 2023. The company plans more than 500 calls at other European ports with shore power in 2025, with projections for vessels in Northern Europe to use shore power at almost every second port call this year.