For the fourth consecutive time, the Port Authority has attained ISO 50001 certification for its sustainable energy strategy.
Zeebrugge has now joined Antwerp as part of this certification, marking a significant achievement just two years after their merger.
Since 2011, the Port Authority has sourced 100% of the electricity for its buildings, locks, bridges, and shore power supply for inland navigation ships from renewable sources. This commitment extends to the hybrid patrol vessels as well.
Additionally, the Port’s tugboat fleet includes two vessels powered by renewable fuels – one using hydrogen and another using methanol – with plans for the first electric tugboat soon. Recent investments in electrifying the vehicle fleet and achieving energy neutrality in buildings have further solidified these efforts.
These investments have yielded significant savings over the past decade at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges:
– 9.6% reduction in gasoline costs for its own fleet
– 64.8% reduction in natural gas heating costs for its buildings
– 33.8% reduction in electricity costs for buildings and public lighting
– 27.5% reduction in electricity costs for bridges and locks.
Looking ahead, the Port Authority remains committed to advancing its sustainable energy policy in the years to come.
“A sustainability policy is not a short-term story. We have actually been working for years to ensure that our ambition to be carbon neutral by 2050 is translated into specific actions and measures. We also have the courage to experiment with innovative technologies based on trial and error, so we are very pleased that this audacity is being rewarded once again,” commented Rob Smeets, COO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
