The Netherlands’ Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has allocated €18.8 million in subsidies to expand shore power facilities in seaports, aiming to reduce emissions and support greener maritime operations.
This program runs until 2027 and offers companies up to €3 million per project.
Funding will be distributed across four phases, with the first opening on November 19, 2024, and the last on June 1, 2027. Each phase provides €4.7 million in support, covering up to 35% of a project’s budget, capped at €3 million per project.
Earmarked budget
Of the total budget, €10.5 million is earmarked from a national package aimed at nitrogen reduction, while the remaining €8 million comes from unspent funds from an earlier version of this program. In recent years, a similar €31 million funding initiative supported 17 shore power projects, including a major cruise terminal installation in Amsterdam, the primary dock at Damen Shipyards, and DFDS ferries serving North Sea routes from Vlaardingen.
Meeting future requirements
This initiative is distinct from the €180 million funding announced last year to enable Dutch seaports to meet upcoming European shore power regulations. From 2030, EU ports will require seagoing vessels to use shore power to minimize emissions while docked, making shore power installations crucial for ports aiming to remain competitive and compliant with international standards. This additional measure further encourages investment in shore based power for sea-going vessels and will increase the likelihood of shipowners and operations being able to effectively rely on shore power facilities in the coming years.