Electric ferries face port infrastructure deficit

The investigation, supported by research from Transport & Environment (T&E), highlights how ferries operating in cities such as Dublin, Helsinki, Stockholm and Tallinn still contribute significant sulphur pollution while at berth.

“Ferries can spend hours at berth with engines running, and those emissions are released right in the middle of our cities,” said Philippos Ioulianou, managing director of EmissionLink. “If we want ships to switch off their engines in port, they need somewhere to plug in.”

More investment essential

The findings underscore the growing importance of port electrification and associated infrastructure as shipping enters the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), requiring most ferries to pay for their emissions.

Industry stakeholders argue that reinvesting ETS revenues into shore power and port infrastructure will be essential to drive meaningful reductions.

Mr Ioulianou said that while shipowners are increasingly willing to invest in retrofitting vessels for shore power, uptake remains constrained by limited availability and high electricity costs in ports.

Without reliable and competitively priced shore power, operators are more likely to continue running onboard engines and absorb emissions penalties.

He said that targeted investment in grid upgrades, renewable energy and port electrification could help close this gap, particularly for ageing ferry fleets that may remain in service for decades.

EmissionLink is an all-in-one service provider specialising in emission scheme management, with a focus on the Fuel EU, EU ETS and upcoming regulations.