Port of Rotterdam: a tendering process supporting projects that reduce CO₂e emissions in the port area

The Port of Rotterdam announced the eight winners of a tendering process called “Carbonbid”, designed to support projects that reduce the most CO2 equivalent at the lowest cost, announced the Port Authority on 14/01/2026.

Eight projects have been selected in order to reduce emissions by "575,000 tonnes of CO₂e, for which the Port Authority will pay €3.5M over a period of four years. This equates to an average of €6 per tonne of CO₂e."

In total, 54 plans were submitted, assessed and questioned about their feasibility. "Finally, accountancy firm EY assessed whether the intended CO₂ e reduction is measurable and verifiable. In the end, 20 projects remained. Contracts have now been concluded with the eight companies that required the lowest contribution from the Port Authority per tonne of CO₂e avoided".

The Port of Rotterdam "has deliberately chosen to only allow projects that reduce emissions within the port area", and to exclude emissions covered by ETS (European CO₂ emission allowances). A maximum amount per project is fixed, "so that many different initiatives can be supported".

"A great deal of attention is always paid to CO₂ reduction by industry, but logistics companies and all kinds of service providers also have emissions. We aim to use Carbonbid to persuade those parties to become more sustainable where necessary", said Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port Authority.