Northern European ports in collaboration receive EU funding for onshore power for container ships

Four Northern European ports are set to significantly reduce emissions from container ships moored at quay. With a joint support of €18,8 million from the EU fund Connecting Europe Facility for the project EU.OPS.Network, the ports of Aarhus, Gothenburg, Bremerhaven, and Stockholm will provide onshore power to container ships calling at the ports by 2030.

The project has a large reduction potential not only of CO₂, but also of other substances such as nitrogen oxides emitted from container ships moored at the ports.

“We are very pleased that the European Commission and the CEF Committee recognize our high ambitions for the green transition. As some of Northern Europe’s most important ports, it’s fantastic that we can collaborate to reduce the shipping industry’s climate footprint, which is a global challenge we face together. OPS for container ships is a crucial part for all the ports involved,” says Anne Zachariassen, COO of Port of Aarhus and project coordinator.

A major step toward sustainable shipping

The project is a direct response to new EU regulations that will come into effect in 2030, requiring ships over 5,000 gross tonnage to connect to onshore power supply, OPS, while moored. Through OPS, container ships will be able to use electricity from the grid instead of generating their own power onboard using diesel engines. This results in a reduced climate footprint, cleaner local environments, and improved working conditions in the ports.

Port of Stockholm’s investment in Stockholm Norvik

Ports of Stockholm’s part in the project involves connecting container ships to green electricity at Stockholm Norvik Port from 2027. The port, which was inaugurated in 2020, was already prepared for this purpose at the time of construction which means that the infrastructure to some extent already is in place. The electricity connection established in the project will be available to all shipping companies on equal terms and will consist of a mobile container dispenser covering two berths.

“Together with the other ports in the project, we are investing in a rapid and safe expansion of onshore power for container ships to further strengthen our modern cargo port Stockholm Norvik Port as a hub for sustainable transport. EU’s positive decision on funding indicates that it is a priority project for increased electrification of the transport sector with a focus on the transition of shipping,” says Johan Wallén, Marketing and Sales Manager at Ports of Stockholm.

The investment in onshore power is part of Ports of Stockholm’s long-term environmental and sustainability work and contributes directly to EU’s climate goal Fit for 55. The goal is to reduce the Union’s carbon dioxide emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030.

CEF funding for EU.OPS.Network

Project budget: €37.61 million
Requested CEF funding: €18.8 million (50%)
Implementation period: 2024-2027