As ZEPA continues to create awareness and adoption of decarbonisation solutions across the global container port industry, the alliance is pleased to welcome new leading port industry members, including Ampcontrol, Kalmar and PSA Antwerp.
The group now has 14 members with the expectation that additional members will join in the coming months.
Adoption of BE-CHE
ZEPA has already identified significant demand within the industry for BE-CHE and encouraged the take-up
Together, this extended alliance has committed to the collective action needed to speed up port decarbonisation through the affordability and adoption of Battery-Electric Container Handling Equipment (BE-CHE).
ZEPA has already identified significant demand within the industry for BE-CHE and encouraged the take-up of voluntary decarbonisation standard-setting, as well as recognising power grids as critical enablers.
Four workstreams focusing on critical topics
ZEPA also recently launched its 2025 Work Programme at the world’s pioneering maritime conference, TOC, in Rotterdam, which saw it renew its priorities to scale BE-CHE and introduce four workstreams focusing on critical topics that enable further BE-CHE adoption:
- Load profile scenario explorer: Improving decision-making for fleet electrification by assessing how BE-CHE and other (future) port energy demands impact terminal load profiles and grid feasibility.
- Updated voluntary standards and implementation support: Driving broader adoption of the ZEPA voluntary design standards in BE-TT and BE-SC by keeping them up to date and facilitating implementation.
- Improved perspective on financial instruments for BE-CHE: Providing insight in potential concessional finance, subsidies, and alternative fleet financing models that could lower the upfront cost barrier to BE-CHE adoption.
- Transition plan toward electric fleets: Reducing implementation hurdles for BE-CHE adoption by providing a transition plan that guides stakeholders through key decisions and system challenges.
Benefits of decarbonising industry
Jack Craig, Head of Business Implementation Management at APM Terminals, said, “We have come a long way both as APM Terminals and with ZEPA, since we co-founded it in 2023. For APM Terminals, it is important that we keep addressing the structural barriers and collective benefits of decarbonising our industry and also work on the common language across the ecosystem on voluntary standards and frameworks."
"With the new joining members, we have a strong team to move on the agenda with a tipping point for affordable and accessible electrified equipment within reach."
Transition to zero-emission equipment
Additionally, Tiemen Meester, Group Chief Operating Officer at DP World, shared: “I’m pleased to welcome the new members to the Zero Emission Port Alliance and look forward to working together to drive progress on our shared mission: decarbonising the container port industry. We’ve already made important strides as an alliance, but we cannot afford to lose momentum."
"One of the most pressing challenges ahead is ensuring our power infrastructure keeps pace with the transition to zero-emission equipment and that will require deep collaboration across the sector.”
Transition by scaling up zero-emission equipment
Edward Tah, Managing Director, PSA Belgium, also highlighted, “By joining ZEPA, we reaffirm PSA Antwerp's commitment to driving port decarbonisation. As the first terminal on the European mainland to introduce a fully electric straddle carrier, we have already taken a pioneering role."
"Through this alliance, we aim to accelerate the transition by scaling up zero-emission equipment in collaboration with industry pioneers worldwide. The cross value chain nature of ZEPA is crucial—it brings together terminals, OEMs, and ports to overcome challenges in standardisation and cost of investments.”
Driving port decarbonisation
The alliance is open to all industry partners and is run by Systemiq as an independent 3rd party Secretariat. ZEPA invites terminal operators, OEMs, and port authorities to join this important initiative.
The alliance is set-up in compliance with anti-trust and competition law, monitored by external legal counsel.
