Port of Southampton finalises £9 million shore power facility

Associated British Ports (ABP)’s Port of Southampton has launched its shore power facility for cruise ships.

The project cost £9 million (nearly $12 million), supported by a grant from the Solent Local Growth Deal through the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The facility will allow shore-enabled ships to plug in at two different terminals at the port resulting in zero emissions at berth.

AIDA Cruises’ AIDAcosma and Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 have been the first vessels to use the port’s shore power.

Further cruise ships are scheduled for commissioning this month and throughout the year.

ABP announced the first investment for a shore power at the Horizon Cruise Terminal in 2019 and subsequently revealed a second shore power connection for the Mayflower Cruise Terminal in 2021.

ABP cooperated with Powercon as the main contractor to implement the scheme on site.

“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 Keeler, Head of Cruise at ABP.

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

“Yet another significant milestone in the journey to decarbonising the maritime sector,” said Maritime Minister Robert Courts MP.

“As we work towards building a green maritime legacy, it’s amazing to see ports such as ABP’s Port of Southampton leading by example to utilise clean maritime technologies for a greener port and better air quality.”

Earlier this year, the Port of Southampton was equipped with 11 sustainable straddle carriers to complete a £40 million ($54.67 million) investment in the container terminal, which has been Britain’s second-busiest in 2021.