---

The Port of Amsterdam has confirmed that it will be introducing a new pricing policy for shore power use from 1st January 2017.

In a statement, the Dutch port explained that the principle of the recalibration is not to increase any tariffs, and that it "only passes on the actual costs to users".

The shore power tariff per kilowatt hour (KWh) for river cruises as of 1st January 2017 will remain equal to the current tariff of EUR 0.35 per KWh, whilst the shore power tariff for inland navigation will be EUR 0.27 per KWh.

Shore power costs

The Port of Amsterdam explained that the costs of shore power consist of two cost components: the cost of electricity and the costs of the shore power facilities, such as the shore power points, cables and transformers.

There are currently two groups of shore power users in Amsterdam: inland navigation and river cruises. Both groups have their own type of shore power points: the inland navigation shore power points have domestic connectors and are fed from the local power grid, whilst the river cruise shore power points are heavier and larger and are therefore equipped with special transformers and cables in order to supply enough capacity. This, the port says, leads to higher investment, repair and maintenance costs.

Generator ban

In 2017, the Port of Amsterdam says it will launch a review of the required physical modifications of the shore power infrastructure in connection with a possible expansion of the generator ban in the Port of Amsterdam.

An expansion of the generator ban would require physical modifications in certain locations, as well as improvements in the shore power facilities. These modifications would first need to be implemented before a generator ban could be extended in the port. The generator ban will, in any case, continue to apply in the areas where it is currently in force.