An international consortium led by Stillstrom, part of A.P. Moller – Maersk, has secured €5 million from the EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program to develop and demonstrate offshore charging infrastructure for stationary vessels at anchor with their engines running.
The three-year SPARK project brings together eight partners across five countries to deploy and test a pilot offshore power zone solution in Skagen, described as one of Northern Europe’s busiest anchorage hubs, targeting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by idling ships between operations.
The offshore power zone will enable vessels to plug into an at-sea power point with electricity provided via the nearby Port of Skagen. The pilot will initially support a single ship connection to prove the concept in a live operational environment, with the goal of expanding the solution globally.
Besides technical delivery, the project will assess commercial viability and regulatory pathways to support wider adoption across the maritime industry.
“Near-shore idling vessels represent a significant and often overlooked source of GHG emissions, making them a clear and immediate opportunity for decarbonisation,” said Stillstrom CEO Kristian Borum Jørgensen .
“Project SPARK brings together partners from across the maritime ecosystem, enabling us to collectively accelerate offshore power from concept to real-world deployment, delivering a practical and economical solution for the maritime sector.”
Integrated vessel charging technology firm Stillstrom is leading the project with partners being Aalborg University, DNV, Maersk, MARIN, Port of Malta, Port of Skagen and University College London.
The project will begin in June and will have an expected duration of 36 months.
Port of Skagen CEO Willy B Hansen said: “This is a significant opportunity for Skagen as one of Northern Europe’s key anchorage hubs. By hosting this pilot Offshore Power Zone, we are helping to demonstrate how collaborative innovation can directly reduce emissions from idling vessels and support the industry’s transition to cleaner operation. It also brings opportunities for local employment and skills development as new infrastructure is deployed and tested in the port environment.”