Climate and energy transition

Almost all activities in industry or shipping are based on fossil energy and raw materials today. Unfortunately, it is those fossil fuels and the accompanying CO₂ emissions that are causing the climate problem.

Precisely because Port of Antwerp-Bruges has an extensive ecosystem of industrial and logistical companies and the right know-how as to chemical processes, logistics, operations and infrastructure, it is the ideal bunker hub for alternative energy fuels. By making a full commitment to efficiency and circularity and switching to renewable sources and raw materials, we are making the move towards a climate-neutral economy.

As an energy hub, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is the place where the energy transition is taking shape. By reducing the requirement for energy and raw materials or approaching them more efficiently, we are already making significant progress for the climate. For example, this may be through using residual flows from industry, such as heat or CO₂, as raw materials elsewhere.

Antwerp is the home port for the largest chemical cluster in Europe. This produces an awful lot of heat. Port of Antwerp-Bruges is aiming to limit the loss of industrial residual heat by using it elsewhere.

We are researching a range of concepts for using industrial residual heat commercially and supplying it to buildings in the city and the port. We are doing this collaboration with industry, the government and other social actors in the Antwerp-North Heat Network project.

The NextGen District in Antwerp is an incubator for innovative, sustainable and circular chemistry. The former Opel site, occupying approximately 88 hectares, will therefore be given a new purpose as the new hub for the circular economy.

Air Liquide, BASF, Borealis, ExxonMobil, INEOS, Fluxys, Port of Antwerp-Bruges and Total are joining together to investigate Carbon Capture Utilisation & Storage (CCUS) in Antwerp@C . The aim of this project is to capture half of the CO₂ emissions at the port with CCUS by 2030.

As an energy and industry hub, we consume a great deal of energy. The port companies produce a great deal of renewable energy locally with solar panels and wind turbines.

The wind turbines at the port generate power for terminals, ships and local residents in an environmentally friendly way, without burning fossil fuels.

The solar park at ADPO in Kallo is a special solar-powered technology. The mirrors generate green heat based on concentrated sunlight. A first for Europe!

Climate change is a global problem, so it cannot only be tackled locally. As a world port, we want to contribute to a climate-neutral European economy by committing to the hydrogen economy. In a hydrogen economy, hydrogen gas is used as an energy carrier or as a raw material during a production process.

We do so with producing our own green hydrogen, as well as by importing hydrogen.

In Northwest Europe, it is impossible to generate all the required energy locally from renewable sources. As such, highly concrete plans are on the table to import hydrogen, produced with green energy from countries where there is abundant sun.

The hydrogen modules are transported via pipelines or by ship to Port of Antwerp-Bruges. However, they do need to be bonded with a hydrogen carrier such as ammonia or methanol first. At the port, this is reconverted back to pure hydrogen, which can be used as a raw material or fuel. The imported hydrogen carriers, such as ammonia and methanol, can serve as green fuel for ships and aeroplane, for generating heat or as a raw material for chemistry. There is still a long way to go here, but it is the route we are continuing to work on.

DEME, Engie, Exmar, Fluxys, Port of Antwerp-Bruges and WaterstofNet, as industrial players and public stakeholders, are bringing their expertise together in the hydrogen coalition. Together, we are throwing our weight behind practical projects for shaping the production, transport and storage of hydrogen.

Ships that perform better in terms of air emissions (NOx, SO2 and CO2) and go beyond the legal requirements will receive a discount on port dues in Antwerp. The discount is calculated on the basis of Environmental Shipping Index (ESI) of the International Association of Ports and Harbours. This index is used by 60 different ports worldwide, making it the best known discount mechanism for port dues.

The International Association of Ports and Harbours is currently updating the index to take into account the most current regulations. This new calculation method will take effect from Jan. 1, 2026.

Port of Antwerp-Bruges has its own fleet of tugs, dredgers and enforcement vessels. We are investing heavily in the integration of alternative fuels into this fleet and connect every ship to shore power where possible. We are reducing energy consumption by operating the existing fleet at lower revs.

In addition, we are systematically replacing the fleet with a more economical and environmentally friendly type of vessel. For example, we have ongoing projects with hydrogen and methanol-powered tugs. The new enforcement vessels can also run fully electric, hybrid or on diesel.

The enforcement vessels are equipped with a battery pack, meaning the vessels can run on electricity alone at 9kph for 2.5 hours. They can also run hybrid or on diesel, as the situation requires. This unique system reduces fuel consumption and ensures minimal CO₂ emissions. The integrated exhaust gas treatment and soot filter also release fewer harmful sulphur and nitrogen oxides.