NYK Group company International Car Operators (ICO) has commenced operation of the first shore power facility for ro-ro vessels at the port of Zeebrugge, Belgium.
Following a successful test phase earlier in June 2026, during which all technical specifications were validated, the first vessel, a 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 ro-ro vessels in Belgium, as well as the first use of shore power by the NYK Group for a PCTC at berth.
Shore power enables ships to run on renewable energy during their stay in port, significantly reducing CO₂, NOx, and particulate emissions, 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.
ICO MD Alain Guillemyn said: “This investment confirms ICO’s ambition to play a pioneering role in a sustainable and competitive port environment, both in Belgium and internationally. These investments support the ambition to keep Zeebrugge and Belgium firmly on the international logistics map.”
The launch of shore power is said to mark a new milestone in ICO’s broader sustainability strategy and for Europe’s ro-ro industry. Previous investments in electrification have already been made, including charging stations for electric vehicles, 12,600 m² of solar panels at the terminal, and an automated parking tower. Through these efforts, ICO says it is advancing toward its goal to fully transition to renewable energy and to permanently reduce the ecological footprint of its operations.
Image: NYK PCTC connects to shore power in Zeebrugge (source: NYK)
