Ports of Stockholm’s Värtahamnen Port began operating its onshore power facilities on 4 November. Together with Tallink Silja, Ports of Stockholm has invested in a range of sustainable solutions at the Värta terminal, which opened three years ago, and now it is possible for vessels to connect to onshore power at every quay-berth.
“The results at the Värtahamnen Port are a positive step in the right direction. Ports of Stockholm is continuing this prioritised work according to our established operating policy to develop onshore power supply at our ports,” explained Thomas Andersson, managing director at Ports of Stockholm.
Step towards sustainability
Marcus Risberg, chief executive officer at Tallink Silja Sweden, said: “We believe that taking away the need to run the engines when in port to supply power to the vessel is a major step towards improved sustainability and well-being.
“The shore power connections not only allow us to reduce emissions and noise levels when in port, but also mean a much better working environment in the engine room, where it is now completely silent during the day.”
In terms of wattage, the shore power facilities at Värtahamnen Port are the largest in the Baltic Sea area, said Ports of Stockholm.
According to Ports of Stockholm, it has worked since the 1980s to provide onshore power supply. Whenever there is refurbishment of the ports and quays, or when new construction work is carried out, the strategy is to install facilities to enable vessels at the quayside to connect to onshore power.