Shore power connected

Shore power-enabled ships can now plug in at  Associated British Ports (ABP)’s Port of Southampton Horizon and Mayflower Cruise Terminals, to enable zero emissions at berth.

“We are delighted to have reached this exciting milestone and we are looking forward to working with multiple cruise lines this year as they plug in for zero emissions at berth and make tangible progress towards their own decarbonisation goals,” said Rebekah Keele, head of cruise, ABP.

Clean power

AIDA Cruises’ brand-new AIDAcosma and Cunard’s iconic Queen Mary 2 can now use the port’s shore power and further cruise ships are scheduled for commissioning this month and throughout the year.

They include Celebrity Cruises’ brand-new ship Celebrity Beyond, which makes its maiden call to the port this month and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Prima, which will make a number of calls in the summer and autumn.

The total shore power project cost was GB£9m, supported by a grant from the Solent Local Growth Deal, arranged through the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

ABP Southampton announced back in 2019 that it was investing in shore power for its new Horizon Cruise Terminal, subsequently announcing a second shore power connection for Mayflower Cruise Terminal, in 2021. ABP worked with Powercon as the main contractor to implement the scheme on site.

The UK Government recently announced the launch of its UK SHORE unit to encourage and help facilitate sustainable shipping.