According to a new study by Transport & Environment (T&E), the majority of European seaports are significantly behind schedule in deploying shore-side electrical infrastructure (OPS), which is crucial for allowing ships to switch from polluting marine fuels to cleaner electricity while docked. This delay slows the transition to greener port operations, particularly in densely populated coastal areas.
Under European Union regulations, all major ports must implement shore power infrastructure by 2030 to reduce harmful emissions. However, the T&E study, which analyzed 31 European ports, reveals that only 20% of the required connections have been installed or contracted so far.
Only 4 out of 31 ports have made progress on more than half of their required connections. The majority are lagging behind. Notably, Antwerp, Dublin, Gdańsk, and Lisbon are among the ports that have yet to begin major investment in OPS infrastructure.
In Lisbon, one of Europe’s busiest cruise ports, the government has announced that a multimillion-euro project to install power cables from the grid to the port will only be completed by 2029.
The study also revealed a stark contrast between vessel types. While 38% of OPS infrastructure required for cruise and passenger ships has already been installed or contracted, the situation is much worse for container ships, with just 11% of the 294 required connections accounted for.
T&E experts emphasize:
“Cruise ships should be prioritized due to their regular and predictable routes, and the fact that passenger terminals are often located close to urban centers. These vessels frequently leave their engines running in port to power lighting and air conditioning, contributing significantly to local air pollution.”
Emissions from docked ships include sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, fine particulates, and carbon dioxide, all of which pose serious environmental and public health risks to residents living near port areas.
