GreenPort Congress host celebrates first ever UK shore power sailing
As the host of Greenport Congress 2026, Portsmouth International Port can this week take a well-deserved degree of pleasure in reaching a significant milestone in sustainable port operations.
The Brittany Ferries vessel Guillaume de Normandie set sail for Caen on the morning of Monday 3rd August, becoming become the first ever cross-Channel ferry to leave the UK using shore power.
History was made after the LNG-electric hybrid ferry connected to Portsmouth International Port’s now fully operational shore power system for two hours before departure.
With fully recharged onboard batteries the Guillaume de Normandie and her 1,000-plus passengers left the UK south coast harbour using electric power before transitioning to hybrid LNG-electric propulsion systems for the remainder of the crossing to France.
The new £24.4m facility enables three large ships to plug in to shore power at the same time when berthed, switching off their engines and eliminating emissions and significantly reducing noise for nearby communities in Portsmouth.
Port Director Mike Sellers said it was a “huge moment not only for us, but also for the UK ports industry as a whole, as we are now the country’s first port to offer multi-berth, multi-user shore power”.
Portsmouth’s OPS achievement will be fully explored at the 21st Greenport Congress from 7-9 October, with first hand insights provided by some of the key players in the opening day session: Energy, electrification & net zero delivery in ports. Showcasing real world implementation of shore power systems to IEC standard.
Those taking part will include Luca Imperiali, Global Product Manager at ABB, Peter Walbridge, Project Manager & Civil Engineer with AtkinsRealis, Portsmouth International Port’s Technical Director, Stephen Watkyns, and Andrew Connolly, Project Director for the Static Wound Plant Portfolio Team at the National Grid.
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Book now for 20% off the full delegate rate with GPCEARLY or contact the team at sales@greenportcongress.com
