'Huge moment' for Portsmouth International Port as 'cutting-edge' shore power system goes live for ferries

Revolutionary infrastructure improvements have been made to Portsmouth International Port in a boost to the cruise and ferry industries.

A new shore power system at Wharf Road port has gone live. This allows ferries and cruise ships to plug in and turn off their engines while docked, reducing carbon emissions and making a cleaner environment for passengers.

Port director Mike Sellers said: “This is 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.

“The clean electricity will have a big benefit to air quality in the city, and it also helps to future-proof Portsmouth port, aligning us with international moves towards electrification for all of our customers, meaning we can continue to be profitable and provide for essential services in the city.”

Two hybrid-electric ships operated by Brittany Ferries, St Malo and Guillaume de Normandie, were the first vessels to charge up during the system's final testing phase. Chief executive Christophe Mathieu said it’s crucial to look forward and develop new technologies such as shore power.

“This isn’t just leading-edge technology, it’s a concrete step in our decarbonisation journey and, perhaps most importantly, a commitment to being a good neighbour,” he added. “The most immediate benefit is cleaner air for the people who live and work around the port. And for our customers too, it means greener travel.

“We’re grateful to everyone who’s worked so hard to make this a reality: the teams at Portsmouth International Port, Portsmouth City Council, the Sea Change partners, and the UK government. Portsmouth is a city that has always thrived on its sea links, and together, we’re making a difference that people who live in it can breathe."

Plans are in place for Portsmouth to have the first zero-emissions port by 2050. AIDA's AIDAsol became the first luxury cruise ship to charge up using shore power, followed by Phoenix Risen's Amera. The system is capable of charging three ships at once, as it’s the UK’s first multi-berth, multi-user, multi-frequency shore power system. This is expected to happen later this year.

Infrastructure upgrades were funded with £19.8m from the Department for Transport and £4.6m from Portsmouth City Council. All capable ships can now enter and exit the harbour under electric power. The system is projected to help avoid emissions of around 20,000 tonnes of CO2e from 2027.

In addition to the construction funding, Portsmouth City Council also provided £3m to secure the power that was needed from the grid. Cllr Steve Pitt, leader of the council, said the project was a huge undertaking.

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“There are always risks when being early adopters of new technology, and I want to thank our partners at Brittany Ferries for working closely with our team at the port to ensure we can plug in their fantastic hybrid ships to the benefit of all who live and work here, and their passengers.

“As the first mover in electrification, we have had a number of challenges to get to this point, but the team at the port and all of the partners have been absolutely determined to make this work, for the industry but primarily for the people of Portsmouth. Our priority with the shore power system has always been helping to improve air quality in the city, for those who live and work here."

Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister Keir Mather said: “Backed by almost £20m in government funding, this is a major milestone in decarbonising UK shipping, placing Portsmouth firmly in the future as it celebrates 50 years in operation.

”Nationally, shipping is the backbone of the economy, and government is playing its part, investing £448m to drive innovation in clean fuels and technologies, creating skilled jobs, cutting emissions, and driving long-term growth.”