Four Northern European ports are preparing to make significant reductions in emissions from container ships docked at their quaysides.
With US$20 million in joint funding from the European Union’s “Connecting Europe Facility” for the “EU.OPS.Network” project, the ports of Aarhus, Gothenburg, Bremerhaven and Stockholm will introduce Onshore Power Supply (OPS) for container ships by 2030.
In addition, this initiative has considerable potential to reduce not only CO2 emissions but also other pollutants like nitrogen oxides that are typically emitted from moored container ships.
Furthermore, the project is a proactive response to upcoming EU regulations, effective in 2030, which will require vessels over 5,000 gross tonnage to use onshore power while at berth.
“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,” commented Anne Zachariassen, COO at Denmark’s Port of Aarhus and project coordinator.
Through OPS, container ships will switch from diesel-powered onboard generators to grid-supplied electricity, thereby decreasing their climate impact, improving local air quality, and enhancing working conditions in port areas.
Each participating port will utilize the funds according to its unique needs, but all are committed to lowering the environmental impact of moored vessels by implementing OPS.
Sweden’s Port of Gothenburg stands out as a key participant in the project, aiming to cut CO2 emissions within its port area by 70% by 2030, with OPS being a crucial component in achieving this target.
Gothenburg’s port already has OPS installed at its ro-ro, ro-pax, and energy terminals for tankers. By extending this to container ships, the port expects to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 5,600 tonnes annually.
“Through this project, the Port of Gothenburg will be able to build a high-voltage substation at the container terminal, which is a crucial part of the infrastructure needed to offer OPS to container ships. It is an investment of about US$21 million, with nearly half of the funding coming from the project,” stated Julia Christensson, Grants Manager at the Port of Gothenburg.
Project Overview: EU.OPS.Network CEF Funding will be as follows:
- Total Project Budget: US$40 million
- CEF Funding Requested: US$20 (50% of total)
- Implementation Period: 2024–2027
- Expected Annual CO2 Reduction at Port of Gothenburg: 5,600 tonnes
