Insight Focus
European ports are accelerating sustainability initiatives. The Port of Rotterdam is pioneering battery-powered inland shipping, while the Port of Klaipėda is upgrading infrastructure for offshore wind and onshore power for clean-fuel vessels. These projects demonstrate how European ports are investing in greener, more efficient maritime networks.
Sustainability and decarbonisation have been at the forefront of the shipping industry in recent years. European ports are accelerating several projects aimed at a greener future, with important developments in the Netherlands and Lithuania.
Batteries on the Dutch Waters
Innovations are emerging especially at the Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s key shipping hub and one of the world’s most significant container ports. While inland shipping has long been the backbone of the Dutch port and the broader European economy, Nedcargo, Inland Terminals Group (ITG), and Zero Emission Services (ZES) are collaborating to introduce a battery-powered inland shipping model.
Port of Rotterdam
This partnership is advancing through the conversion of the container ship Den Bosch Max Groen to operate with battery-electric propulsion between Den Bosch, Moerdijk and Maasvlakte in Rotterdam, a trip of approximately 60 miles in each direction.
ZES, as the energy provider, is developing cutting-edge battery technology and charging stations while ensuring the energy supply remains as efficient as possible. The company’s ZESpacks are central to this innovation—standard 20-foot containers fitted with batteries charged with 100% renewable electricity at stations along major shipping routes, enabling clean, quiet and emission-free voyages.
Michael Beemer, CEO of ZES, explained: “As a skipper, you don’t have to wait until the battery is fully charged. You simply switch and continue. This makes the system very practical for shipping. An additional advantage is that the battery can be charged at the most convenient times. Theoretically, it’s possible to fully charge the battery within just three hours.”
ZES’s pay-per-use model benefits shipping companies by eliminating the need for large investments in expensive batteries and infrastructure—they only pay for the energy consumed. Beemer added that shipping firms do have to invest in vessel conversion, but with ZES’ support, they can apply for funding under the ship subsidy regulation, so part of the costs are covered.
The latest generation of ZESpacks offers increased capacity (2.9 MWh), enhanced energy efficiency, and features an MCS connector with 1 MW charging and discharging capabilities.
Role of Other Partners
Nedcargo contributes its expertise in logistics and shipping by operating the vessel, while ITG’s network of 17 inland terminals across the Netherlands and Belgium provides the infrastructure for charging development.
Currently, there are two charging stations—located in Alblasserdam and Den Bosch—that primarily support exports for Heineken, a major project partner. Nedcargo moves around 2.5 billion bottles of Heineken beer annually to the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp. The battery-powered operation reduces CO₂ emissions by approximately 800 tonnes annually.
ZES is expanding this network along the Trans-European Transport Network within the Netherlands and plans to extend it into Germany and Belgium.
“Without a strong network, the threshold remains high for shipping companies, yet the network cannot expand if too few vessels are battery-electric,” Beemer noted, describing a “chicken and egg problem” that the partners are trying to solve. The ZES CEO believes a 100% zero-emission inland shipping sector will only be possible if the entire chain participates.
ZES, a company with Ebusco, ING, Wärtsilä, and the Port of Rotterdam Authority as shareholders, envisions establishing dozens of emission-free shipping routes by 2030, featuring charging stations in Alphen aan den Rijn, Alblasserdam, Den Bosch, Rotterdam, Moerdijk and other key hubs.
“We’re building a comprehensive, nationwide network of charging stations and ZES-compatible vessels, and we’re extending the concept along national and international corridors,” said Beemer. “At that scale, battery-electric sailing will become a mainstream option for inland shipping in the Netherlands and beyond.”
Port of Klaipėda Drives Further Progress
Another key European shipping hub, the Port of Klaipėda, is undertaking a major project to support Lithuania’s offshore wind energy development. In the area of the former International Ferry Terminal, new quays are being constructed as part of this initiative.
Port of Klaipėda
The project was launched in May 2022 through an investment agreement between the Klaipėda Port Authority and cargo handling company Klasco, aiming to develop the infrastructure needed for future offshore wind farms. Construction is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.
Lithuania plans to have two offshore wind parks operational by 2035 in its Baltic Sea exclusive economic zone near Palanga. These parks are expected to have a combined capacity of approximately 1.4 GW and generate up to 6 terawatt-hours (TWh) of green electricity annually—enough to cover about half of Lithuania’s current electricity demand.
Algis Latakas, CEO of the Klaipėda State Seaport Authority, highlighted the port’s role in Lithuania’s offshore wind ambitions. He explained that Klaipėda is preparing to become a vital base for assembling, handling, and storing turbine components. Currently, the southern part of the port is undergoing infrastructure upgrades, with new quays being built as part of the first stage of development.
In addition, the Klaipėda Seaport Authority recently secured a quay lease at Jurbarkas, a city in southwestern Lithuania, paving the way for a new inland cargo port along the Nemunas River.
New Onshore Power Stations Set to Reduce Port Emissions
At the same time, the Lithuanian port has completed its first quay electrification project. An onshore power supply station has been installed at the Port Authority’s Fleet Base and will be tested by the end of 2025.
The station is intended to provide electricity to a new hydrogen- and electric-powered waste collection vessel arriving in Klaipėda later this year. The project cost around EUR 600,000 and was fully funded by the Port Authority.
According to the unveiled plans, additional onshore power supply stations will be added at Klaipėda. By 2026, four stations are expected to be installed for RoRo vessels, allowing them to switch off their engines while at berth. Similar stations are also planned for cruise and container ships in the coming years.
Algis Latakas commented: “Klaipėda Port is firmly set on a green course. We invest in sustainable, modern solutions to stay competitive. By the end of this year, the first clean-fuel vessel will arrive, and our new charging equipment at the Fleet Base will be ready to serve it. This is only the beginning—by 2030, ships at berth will have to switch off engines and use shore power, and we’re preparing to meet that demand.”
