Gent verwelkomt duurzame riviercruises met walstroom

Maritime decarbonization

Ghent Welcomes Sustainable River Cruises with Shore Power

The new river cruise terminal in Ghent marks a leap forward toward more sustainable and better-managed tourism. North Sea Port has equipped the terminal with state-of-the-art facilities and a strong focus on environmental friendliness and climate adaptation.

Sweco acted as a partner, bringing both technical expertise and sustainability knowledge on board. We were responsible for the full study, permit application, tender dossier, and variant analysis.

Client
North Sea Port
Location
Ghent
Expertise
Civil engineering, permit application, tender dossier, and variant analysis

The new mooring dock, located at the Grootdok, is 85 meters long and 6 meters wide, accommodating up to four river cruise ships. This dock is equipped with modern amenities such as shore power cabinets and water taps, contributing to a more sustainable stay for the ships. With the new terminal, Ghent aims to promote year-round tourism. By limiting the number of docking ships to four per day, peak congestion is avoided, ensuring a more pleasant experience for both tourists and locals.

Sweco approached this project integrally, with impact at every stage:

  • Design phase: Thanks to a variant analysis, we were able to reduce the Environmental Cost Indicator (ECI) by 30%.
  • Construction phase: Together with North Sea Port, we made the execution more sustainable by, for example, avoiding diesel generators and delivering materials via water.
  • Operational phase: With shore power facilities, significant energy savings are achieved.
Gent verwelkomt duurzame riviercruises met walstroom

Setting the Tone for Greener River Cruises

Ships docking at the new quay are required to use the shore power facilities, reducing the use of diesel generators. This leads to a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions, benefiting both the environment and air quality in the city. Each inland cruise ship connected to shore power saves 1.2 tons of CO₂. Over a cruise season in Ghent, with around 400 registered river cruises, this results in approximately 500 tons less CO₂ emissions.

Gent verwelkomt duurzame riviercruises met walstroom

Multidisciplinary Project Team On Board

For the engineering of this river cruise terminal, Sweco followed a comprehensive and meticulous process—from concept design to execution design, including a detailed tender specification with a specific focus on sustainable construction and supply. During the execution phase, we assisted North Sea Port in reviewing the works.

Our multidisciplinary project team was involved from day one. Civil engineers, energy experts, and CAD designers worked together in a holistic approach, with sustainability and precision at the core.

Reliable Insight into Environmental Costs

A unique aspect of this project was the variant study, where the Environmental Cost Indicator (ECI) played a key role in the final sustainable choice. For each variant, an ECI value was calculated by precisely analyzing the materials used and their quantities. This value was determined using standard monetary weighting factors per impact category, based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

The calculation was performed using advanced SimaPro software, which integrates the eco-invent standard, and followed the CML method. This technique quantifies the environmental impact of products and processes throughout their entire life cycle.

Gent verwelkomt duurzame riviercruises met walstroom

Full Speed Ahead Toward Robustness and Sustainability

Ultimately, we chose a fixed quay with a concrete deck supported by braced steel pipe piles, as it scored significantly better on nearly all sustainability criteria. This choice resulted in a 30% reduction in the ECI score. The design of the concrete variant was further refined, carefully integrating the cable duct and balancing mooring and bollard forces.

We also worked closely with the manufacturer to detail the fender selection. Fenders are cushions that absorb impact and protect both the ship and the dock. All of this resulted in a robust and sustainable quay that meets the highest standards.

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