Fit for (sustainable) future: Onshore power supply gaining ground in European ports

Ports in Europe are increasingly implementing shore power projects in an effort to stay ahead of the global decarbonization game and comply with EU regulations.

Shore power, shoreside electricity, cold ironing, and shore-to-ship power are terms used in relation to ships connecting directly to power sources on shore. Shore power systems are mostly grid-connected, however, there are also mobile configurations.

While in port, vessels use their auxiliary engines to produce electricity. With the use of an onshore power supply that allows ship engines to be switched off, emissions from ships’ engines can be eliminated. In addition, shore power helps reduce noise, vibration and air pollution resulting from the use of fossil fuels by ships.

A 2022 feasibility study by Aberdeen Harbour found that green shore power could reduce emissions in ports by more than 90% as well as minimize noise and air pollution levels. When shore power facility is completely supplied by green electricity, the GHG emissions reduction could be around 100%.

Port authorities and port administrations in Europe, encouraged by national governments, are investing heavily in shore power connections and thereby enhancing their role in the global energy transition.

AFIR and FIT for 55

In the context of the EU ‘Fit for 55 package’, which is said to be the union’s most ambitious legislation towards establishing a low-carbon economy, the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) was introduced. The regulation, which came into force on April 13, 2024, aims to ensure that EU Member States adopt appropriate GHG reduction measures. In addition, it supports the rollout of adequate recharging and refueling infrastructure to assist member states in the adoption of renewable and low-carbon fuels.

The AFIR works hand in hand with the FuelEU Maritime legislation and the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). These three measures are said to be essential to trigger the development of policies for the rollout of alternative fuels infrastructure in EU Member States.

Under the AFIR, EU ports welcoming a minimum number of large passenger vessels or container vessels will have to provide shoreside electricity by 2030.

Pros and cons of shore power

Although there are several thousand ports worldwide, only a few of them offer shore power. Still, the number of ports investing in shore power is growing on a global scale. Ports have started to recognize the importance of electricity in the maritime energy transition.

The main benefit for ships is that they can reduce emissions and fuel costs by connecting to shore power. What is more, electricity generated from renewable sources makes shore power a green power.

Furthermore, the regulatory environment, especially in Europe, is making investments in shore power technology easier. Governments are increasingly co-funding shore power projects.

Shore power can be used by different types of vessels. For this reason, common standards already exist and are uniform worldwide.

One of the major cons is that electricity for shore power often comes from coal-fired power stations and not from renewable sources. In this case, shore power does not contribute to global energy transition goals.

Moreover, enormous investments and time-consuming construction during regular port operations can hinder ports’ investment decisions.

Shore power is especially suitable for regular shipping traffic where the same ships repeatedly moor at the same berths. It also makes sense if the ship’s layover is longer than three hours. Finally, shore power connection needs to be flexible to accommodate different types and sizes of vessels. These reasons can significantly affect investment decisions.

European ports – pioneers in practice

Germany’s Port of Hamburg seems to be leading the way in Europe when it comes to onshore power supply for container and cruise vessels. It recently became the first port on the continent to offer shore power for both types of vessels.

After several years of supplying cruise ships in the Port of Hamburg with shore-side power, the technology is now also being used for cargo ships. In the future, containerships will also be able to draw electricity from renewable sources on land while at berth, instead of running the ship’s engines. The technology needed in ports is being developed, while shipping companies are creating the conditions on board.

The shore-side electricity initiative in the Port of Hamburg will encompass plants in the four container terminals — Eurogate, Burchardkai, Tollerort and Altenwerder — as well as cruise centers Steinwerder and HafenCity. The initiative is part of Hamburg’s goal to be climate-neutral by 2045.

German Port of Kiel has been also investing heavily in shore power infrastructure. Last year, it opened two shore power facilities for cruise ships and ferries at the Ostuferhafen, next to the existing plants at Norwegenkai and Schweden-/Ostseekai. The expansion of the shore power infrastructure is said to be one of the priority projects of the Kiel seaport to reduce CO2 emissions as well as air/pollutant emissions of the ships during their berthing times.

In 2021, a shore power plant for cruise ships was inaugurated in Rostock-Warnemünde, Germany, and is described as Europe’s largest shore power plant. With an output of up to 20 megavolt amperes (MVA), two cruise ships can be supplied with electricity simultaneously in Warnemünde at berths P7 and P8.

Sweden’s first shore power supply facility for cruise ships recently passed an important milestone through test calls with ships in central Stockholm. Over 35 cruise ships are expected to connect to shore power by October this year.

Ports of Stockholm is now entering the final phase of the project to install two onshore power facilities for cruise ships at Stadsgården quays in Stockholm. The facilities have been under construction for the past two years and will reduce emissions from cruise ships in port and reduce noise from the engines.

In Finland, the first onshore power supply connection was launched in Vuosaari Harbour, a seaport facility in Helsinki, in June 2024. The system is used by vessels operated by Finnish shipping company Finnlines — M/S Finnmaid, Finnstar and Finnlady serving the route between Helsinki and Travemünde in Germany.

In July 2024, the first operational shore power facility in the Mediterranean Sea was inaugurated by cruise ship MSC World Europa in Valleta, Malta.

Back in 2022, Associated British Ports’ (ABP) Port of Southampton commissioned its first shore power facility for cruise ships, enabling to plug in at the port’s Horizon Cruise Terminal and Mayflower Cruise Terminal for zero emissions at berth.

Antwerp Euroterminal (AET) also unveiled the decision to install the first shore power connection for seagoing vessels in Belgium. Expected to be operational in 2026, the shore power installation is said to be the first in Belgium for seagoing vessels, built according to international ISO standards.

In Rotterdam, shore power is an important aspect of the transition from fossil energy to sustainable sources. The municipality of Rotterdam and the Port of Rotterdam Authority have embarked on a joint strategy and development program to accelerate and scale up shore power for sea-going vessels, with the aim of having a high percentage of sea-going vessels plugged in at the quay by 2030.

A number of shore power projects have been introduced so far, including the OPS installation for DFDS RoRo vessels in Vlaardingen, Boskalis’ Waalhaven shore power facility, shore power from a battery system for inland vessels at Maaskade, and similar.

The future of shore power supply

As many alternative emission reduction solutions are coming into play, it remains a question whether shore power will become a standard solution for power supply in ports.

Nonetheless, numerous shore power initiatives backed by governments are emerging. In June, the European Commission approved a €570 million Italian scheme to incentivize ships to use shore-side electricity when at berth in maritime ports. Earlier this year, a total of seventeen shore power projects in Norway received almost $13.6 million in support from Enova, a Norwegian government enterprise that supports the electrification of maritime transport.

To successfully operate a network of shore power facilities in the future, Europe would need to ensure a coordinated approach among port authorities and regional governments. It would also need to ensure an effective and sustainable financing scheme for onshore power supply projects. Can investing carbon tax revenues in shore power infrastructure be part of the solution?