Port of Rotterdam backs Carbonbid to cut emissions

The Port of Rotterdam Authority has set up a tendering process whereby initiators receive compensation if their activities reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the port area.

The essence of Carbonbid, as the port coined the process, is that it supports projects that reduce the most CO2 equivalent at the lowest cost.

The outcome of the first Carbonbid process is that eight projects will together reduce emissions in the port area by 575,000 tonnes of CO2e, for which the Port Authority will pay €3.5 million ($4.1 million) over a period of four years. That is an average of €6 ($6.96) per tonne of CO2e.

The Port of Rotterdam Authority has deliberately chosen to only allow projects that reduce emissions within the port area. Emissions covered by ETS (European CO2 emission allowances) are also excluded, and there is a maximum amount per project, so that many different initiatives can be supported.

　　The companies selected as winners are:

• 　　Xirqulate – Processing contaminated harbour sludge from the Slufter into raw materials

• 　　Real1ze – Mobile ship degassing, removing the need for vessels to sail out to sea to release cargo residues

• 　　ECT – Replacing diesel automated guided vehicles (AGVs) with electric alternatives

• 　　Steinweg – Replacing diesel reach stackers with electric models

• 　　Celsius – Providing mobile shore power solutions

• 　　Fleet Robotics – Hull cleaning for small seagoing and inland waterway vessels

• 　　Den Bosch / Nijmegen Max – Converting two inland waterway vessels from diesel-electric to battery-electric propulsion

• 　　Kalmar – Developing innovative electric reach stackers

The Carbonbid tendering process consisted of several phases. Of the 54 plans submitted, the Port Authority first assessed whether they met the conditions. After that, a diverse panel of experts questioned the applicants about the feasibility of their proposals.

Finally, accountancy firm EY assessed whether the intended CO2e reduction is measurable and verifiable. In the end, 20 projects remained. Contracts have now been concluded with the eight companies that required the lowest contribution from the Port Authority per tonne of CO2e avoided.

With these eight contracts, the budget of €3.5 million ($4.1 million) has been allocated. In view of the success of Carbonbid, the Port Authority is considering organising a further round of this tender.

Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of Port of Rotterdam Authority, said: “A great deal of attention is always paid to CO2 reduction by industry, but logistics companies and all kinds of service providers also have emissions.

“We aim to use Carbonbid to persuade those parties to become more sustainable where necessary. Doing this through a tendering process will reduce the most CO2 at the lowest cost.

“I am pleasantly surprised by how diverse the projects are and that we will be keeping so much greenhouse gas out of the air with this budget. Carbonbid is an innovative way to help achieve climate goals with relatively little money.”

Earlier this month, ABB signed contracts with Rotterdam Shore Power (RSP), a joint venture between the Port of Rotterdam and Eneco, to engineer and construct multiple shore power systems for the Port of Rotterdam.