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DFDS has announced that it will introduce onshore power supply facilities at terminals in the ports of Immingham Gothenburg and Ghent, and six freight vessels serving the ports will be refitted to receive power from land while in port.

The total investment in the project is EUR 7 million. The European Commission has supported it with the maximum EUR 1 million as part of the Trans-European Transport Network Executive Agency. It falls under the 'Motorways of the Sea' funding as it addresses important environmental challenges. In addition to this, the project has been financially supported by Volvo Group Belgium, the Port of Ghent, and the Port of Gothenburg.

DFDS said the ports in Immingham, Gothenburg and Ghent and the six vessels had been selected as they provide the most optimal conditions for onshore power supply. Two of the terminals are operated by DFDS, and the port of Gothenburg provides facilities in Gothenburg. The ships involved are sisters, built in 2003-06, and will service at least one of the ports for the next five years, which is an important condition for the EU grant.

The six freight vessels are Primula Seaways, Petunia Seaways, Magnolia Seaways, Freesia Seaways, Ficaria Seaways and Begonia Seaways.

“We are very grateful for the important support we have received from the European Commission and our partners for this pilot project, and for the great commitment they have shown in testing this new efficient tool which we believe will reinforce our continuous work for cleaner air and less noise in our terminal areas,” said Niels Smedegaard, CEO and President, DFDS.

The capacity of the berths equipped with onshore power supply will also be available to other operators so the environmental benefits of the facilities can be maximized.