Portsmouth International Port has activated its shore power system, making it the first port in the United Kingdom to offer multi-berth, multi-user shore power capability to vessels calling at the facility.

The system, known as the Sea Change project, allows ships to shut down their engines and connect to the onshore electricity grid while berthed, with Portsmouth aiming to become the country’s first zero-emissions port by 2050.

Brittany Ferries’ hybrid-electric vessels, St Malo and Guillaume de Normandie — both part of a €550m fleet renewal programme — were the first to connect during the system’s final testing phase. Two cruise ships have since taken shore power: AIDA’s AIDAsol and Phoenix Reisen’s Amera.

The system is funded with £19.8m from the UK Department for Transport and £4.6m from Portsmouth City Council, with the council providing an additional £3m to secure the required grid connection. It is designed to allow up to three vessels to plug in simultaneously, a capability the port expects to demonstrate later this year.

According to the port, the system is projected to help avoid emissions of around 20,000 tonnes of CO2e from 2027 onwards.

Mike Sellers, Portsmouth International Port director, stated: “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 International Port, aligning us with international moves towards electrification for all of our customers.”

Sellers acknowledged that electricity costs remain a challenge. “There are still challenges we’re facing around the cost of electricity, and we’re continuing to lobby the government hard to ensure they address these and make electrification a more attractive business proposition for us and for ports across the country,” he explained.

Christophe Mathieu, chief executive at Brittany Ferries, commented: “As we mark half a century of serving Portsmouth, it’s crucial that we look forward as well as back, and shore power does exactly that. 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. The most immediate benefit is cleaner air for the people who live and work around the port.”

Cllr Steve Pitt, leader of Portsmouth City Council, remarked: “I want to congratulate everyone involved in this huge undertaking, which sets Portsmouth apart in the UK cruise and ferry market, cements our sustainability ambitions, and contributes to our ongoing commitment to the health of people across the city.”

Keir Mather, the UK’s aviation, maritime and decarbonisation minister, said: “Backed by almost £20 million in government funding, this is a major milestone in decarbonising UK shipping, placing Portsmouth firmly at the forefront 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.”

The shore power system was delivered by a consortium of partners including Barter 4 Things, Brittany Ferries, MSE International, Swanbarton and the University of Portsmouth.