Over 90% of the world's trade goes via sea and this requires colossal amounts of fuel. Port of Antwerp-Bruges is one of the largest bunker hubs in the world. It is our ambition as a multifuel port to make various climate-neutral fuels in addition to bio- and conventional bunker fuels.
Conventional fuels
Currently, the vast majority of maritime transport runs on fossil fuels, with impacts on climate (CO2) and local air pollution (NOx, PM). The use of maritime conventional energy sources is already regulated: Antwerp and Zeebrugge are located in a SECA area (Sulphure Emission Control Area).
Alternative fuels
Alternative fuels are essential in the transition to sustainable transport in, from and to our port. Based on renewable energy, we can achieve more sustainable transport through electrification and with alternative energy sources such as methanol, ammonia and hydrogen.
LNG
LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) is the perfect leg up to the use of alternative low-carbon fuels. It causes fewer emissions than bunker oil, is relatively easy to obtain and it is operationally and financially viable to outfit ships with an LNG engine for bunkering.
Zeebrugge is the gateway for the supply of LNG in North-West Europe. Fluxys temporarily stores the LNG and bio-LNG supplied in buffer tanks there and regasifies it for transport.
Methanol
Methanol is a colorless liquid that is stored and bunkered under ambient temperature. Its application as a marine fuel is new, but the substance has been transported and used in industry for decades.
In June 2023, Port of Antwerp-Bruges hosted the first refueling operation with methanol, bunkering 475 mT of methanol from a barge to oil tanker. In April 2024, deepsea vessel Ane Maersk bunkered 4,300 tons of green methanol during her stay in the port.
Shore power
Connected to shore power, ships ashore can shut down their engines or generator and connect to the power grid. This reduces emissions, improves air quality and reduces noisepollution. It is also better for the ship's engine.
Barges have been able to connect to shore power when berthed for several years now. From 2026, a first shore power installation will be ready at the cruise terminal in Zeebrugge. By 2028, maritime shipping will also be able to use shore power.
Safe bunkering
Today it is already possible to refuel alternative fuels in our port. In doing so, we place maximum emphasis on safety. We conduct risk analyses for all types of fuels, set up safety protocols and guarantee the highest qualifications within the ecosystem by implementing a licensing system for bunker operators.