Sustainable harbor RWG gets a boost with Invest-NL funding

Invest-NL provides funding of € 25 million to Rotterdam World Gateway (RWG), one of the most sustainable and automated container terminals in Europe. With this financing, RWG will establish a shore power installation that allows moored ships to use green electricity instead of polluting diesel generators. It is estimated that, in the long term, the installation could lead to an expected CO₂ reduction of 23 kiloton per year.

A new step in an existing system

RWG is a leading and established company, whose nearly fully automated container terminal has been operating at full capacity for years. The sustainability measures RWG is now undertaking are essential to remain future-proof in the international shipping sector; a sector that is difficult to greenify.

The shore power facility is being installed at all berths of RWG on the Tweede Maasvlakte. It is expected that from 2030, almost all large ships visiting RWG will use the electrical infrastructure instead of diesel generators. This significantly contributes to reducing NOx and CO₂ emissions and improves air quality and noise levels in the port area.

European capital for sustainability

With this financing, Invest-NL is making the project possible together. As an official AFIF implementation partner for the Netherlands, Invest-NL enables RWG to apply for European subsidy through the AFIF program – the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility program. This is a European financing instrument aimed at supporting the rollout of infrastructure for alternative fuels. In this way, Invest-NL connects public and private parties and provides access to European capital.

Ronald Lugthart, CEO of RWG, says: “Thanks to the financing from Invest-NL, RWG is able to install shore power earlier than planned, thereby reducing the emissions from docked ships to zero in the shortest possible time. This investment project seamlessly aligns with several other ongoing initiatives of RWG, which will enable the first fully emission-free operation of a container terminal in the world within four years.”

“RWG is a good example of an established company that continues to sustainability and dares to take steps. With this financing, we demonstrate that Invest-NL can also make a difference in this segment: by targeted capital and relevant expertise, and by making European capital accessible.” says Jeroen Junge, senior investment manager at Invest-NL.

From ambition to implementation

This financing aligns well with Invest-NL’s broader ambition to accelerate societal transitions such as the electrification of energy supply, also with established companies. Through targeted financing and substantive guidance, Invest-NL makes sustainability possible for companies that are part of the established economy.