Heerema’s crane vessels to switch to wind power in port of Rotterdam
Heerema’s mighty crane vessels will soon be powered by wind energy when moored in the port of Rotterdam. By switching off the diesel generators, the vessels will reduce their emissions by the equivalent of what 5,000 diesel cars produce annually.
The vessels will be powered directly by onshore wind turbine generators located in the port. To supply the power, a so-called “e-house” of 16 by 9 metres together with several transformers will be built on Landtong Rozenburg, which is a small strip of land directly at the Calandkanaal, where Heerema’s crane ships Sleipnir and Thialf are often moored for maintenance and project preparations.
The energy will be delivered by Rotterdam Shore Power, which is a newly established joint venture of the Port of Rotterdam Authority (20%) and energy supplier Eneco (80%). Heerema will be the launching customer of the new company.
Rotterdam Shore Power aims to have more ships turn off their engines when in port and also wants to supply shore-based power to several companies and terminals in the area. To get the project off the ground, the Municipality of Rotterdam has reserved a subsidy of EUR 2 million in its 2020 budget.
“It is not very common internationally that these types of large vessels are connected to shore power. What makes the project truly unique is the direct supply of wind turbine power to these nearby seagoing vessels”, Heerema comments on the innovative partnership.
The project will apply for the permits in late 2019 and construction is to start in the spring of 2020. The “e-house” will be located near Heerema’s berth on the north side of the Noordzeeweg on Landtong Rozenburg. If everything goes according to plan, Heerema’s vessels will be plugged in sometime next year.
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