UK’s Portsmouth Port Completes First Commercial Shore Power Connection For Cruise Ship

Portsmouth International Port in the UK has completed its first commercial shore power connection for a cruise ship, allowing Virgin Voyages’ cruise vessel Valiant Lady to use electricity from the shore instead of running its onboard engines while berthed.

The connection, announced by the port on 5 August, marks the first time a cruise ship has used Portsmouth’s newly operational shore power system.

The facility is part of the port’s plan to become the UK’s first zero-emission port by 2050.

Shore power allows vessels to connect to electricity from the local grid while alongside, reducing the need to operate auxiliary engines during port stays.

The system is designed to support both cruise ships and ferries, helping reduce emissions and improve air quality around the port.

The milestone was also the first time two vessels used the shore power system at the same time.

Brittany Ferries’ Guillaume de Normandie was connected alongside Valiant Lady, allowing the port to demonstrate the capability of its new multi-berth shore power infrastructure.

Portsmouth International Port said the simultaneous connection was an important step in showing the system’s full operational capacity.

The shore power project was funded by the UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) and Innovate UK. The port announced last month that the system had become fully operational after completing its final round of testing.

The port expects the shore power system to be capable of connecting three vessels simultaneously later this year.

The introduction of shore power is part of Portsmouth International Port’s efforts to reduce emissions from maritime operations by enabling vessels to use shore-based electricity while docked.

References: Shipandbunker, safety4sea