Northern European Ports Secure €18.8M EU Funding for Onshore Power Supply (OPS) to Reduce Emissions from Container Ships by 2030 - News Directory 3

Northern European Ports Secure €18.8M EU Funding for Onshore Power Supply (OPS) to Reduce Emissions from Container Ships by 2030

November 11, 2024 Catherine Williams World
News Context
At a glance
  • Four major ports in Northern Europe—Aarhus, Gothenburg, Bremerhaven, and Stockholm—have secured €18.8 million in funding from the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for the EU.OPS.Network project.
  • By 2030, EU regulations will require ships over 5,000 gross tonnage to connect to onshore power while moored, instead of using diesel engines.
  • The EU.OPS.Network project is a significant step towards a more sustainable European port network.
Original source: worldcargonews.com

Northern European Ports Receive EU Funding for Onshore Power

Four major ports in Northern Europe—Aarhus, Gothenburg, Bremerhaven, and Stockholm—have secured €18.8 million in funding from the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for the EU.OPS.Network project. This funding will be used to install onshore power supply (OPS) systems for container ships.

EU Regulations and Environmental Impact

By 2030, EU regulations will require ships over 5,000 gross tonnage to connect to onshore power while moored, instead of using diesel engines. This switch to OPS will allow container ships to draw electricity directly from the grid, reducing their carbon footprint, improving local air quality, and enhancing working conditions for port staff.

Individual Port Plans

  • Stockholm: The project will equip Stockholm Norvik Port to provide green electricity to container ships starting from 2027. Much of the necessary infrastructure is already in place since the port’s inauguration in 2020. The new system will include a mobile container dispenser serving two berths.
  • Gothenburg: The Port of Gothenburg aims to reduce CO₂ emissions by 70% in its port area by 2030, with OPS being a key part of this strategy. The port already offers OPS at its ro-ro, ro-pax, and energy terminals for tankers.
  • Aarhus: The Port of Aarhus expects to have OPS available for container ships by late 2026, enabling ships to transition to shore power.
  • Bremerhaven: While specific details for Bremerhaven are not outlined, the port will also implement OPS systems as part of the collaborative effort.

Project Significance

The EU.OPS.Network project is a significant step towards a more sustainable European port network. The installation of OPS systems will help the maritime sector meet stringent environmental targets and set a precedent for ports worldwide. This collaborative effort among Northern Europe’s major ports highlights their commitment to the green transition and reducing the shipping industry’s climate impact.

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