Sweden's first and one of Europe's first electrical connection facilities for cruise ships has passed an important milestone with a test call with ships at Stadsgården in Stockholm. Over 35 cruise ships are expected to connect by October this year.
Ports of Stockholm is now entering the final phase of the innovative project to install two electrical connection facilities for cruise ships at Stadsgården in Stockholm. The shipping company AIDA, which is Ports of Stockholm's largest cruise customer by far, participated with the cruise ship AIDAdiva in the first test call, which was carried out on May 30.
– Electrical connection for cruise ships is an important milestone for Stockholm as a sustainable premium destination, to achieve set climate goals and improve the environment in the city. We are extremely pleased to enter the final completion of our facility. We look forward to welcoming cruise ships that can now benefit from this technology, says Jens Holm (V), Chairman of the Board of the Port of Stockholm.
The facility, which has been under construction for the past two years, is designed to reduce emissions from cruise ships in port and reduce engine noise. By connecting a ship to the grid, it can turn off its diesel generators and use shore power instead, significantly reducing carbon emissions, air pollution and noise. At least 35 cruise ships are expected to be connected during the season, which is also a test period.
– As a pioneer in shore power in Europe, AIDA Cruises has been involved in the development of sustainable infrastructure in Europe for many years. We are pleased to work together with the Ports of Stockholm and to contribute our knowledge and connect our ships to the commissioning of Sweden's first shore power facility for cruise ships, says Marco Torkler, Director Technical Projects & Operational Support at AIDA Cruises.
Ports of Stockholm has worked closely with several international parties to ensure that the facility meets the highest standards in both safety and efficiency.
The electricity connection at berth S167 has been granted support from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Action Plan. The project has also – together with the three Baltic Sea ports of Copenhagen/Malmö, Aarhus and Helsinki – been granted a grant from the EU to invest in landside supply.
When the project is completed, it will be possible for over 45 percent of cruise calls at the Ports of Stockholm to have electricity connections at the quay.
Ports of Stockholm works actively, long-term and strategically for sustainable port operations and shipping. Environmental work is an integrated part of daily operations and follows the City of Stockholm's goal of a Stockholm that is climate positive by 2030 and fossil-free by 2040.
According to the press release.
