Shorepower for containers in Scandinavia

The project marks a major milestone in the port’s ambition to become a fossil-free hub for maritime logistics.

“Becoming the first port in Scandinavia to offer shore power for container vessels is a major milestone in our climate transition,” said Bart Steijaert, chief executive of the Port of Helsingborg.

“With this investment, we are not only meeting future environmental requirements – we are leading the way.”

The planned facility will have a capacity of 3.5 megawatts, enough to power a feeder container vessel and equivalent to the electricity used by 2,000 homes.

The project is being developed in partnership with Actemium and will enable the port to comply with a 2019 environmental ruling requiring shorepower by 2026. It also anticipates the EU’s 2030 mandate for OPS use by large vessels.

By switching to shorepower, the port could reduce emissions by up to 8,000 tonnes of CO2, 100 tonnes of NOX and 5 tonnes of SOX annually, while also improving the working environment for crew and dockside personnel.

Shipping companies have welcomed the initiative with Gunnlaugur Grettisson, managing director of Eimskip Sweden, saying, “Being able to connect to electricity immediately upon arrival significantly reduces our port-side emissions and helps us reach our own climate targets.”