Port of Aarhus advances shore power for containerships

The new facility will be the first of its kind in Denmark, and the project will be executed in collaboration with Danish technology provider PowerCon.

Anne Zachariassen, COO at the Port of Aarhus, emphasised the environmental and social benefits of the project, stating: “We are pleased to collaborate with PowerCon to establish this shore power facility. It will reduce both noise and local particle pollution caused by ships using diesel generators, benefiting residents of the surrounding area and port employees alike.”

The new facility will be located at the port’s container terminal, which handles a significant portion of Denmark’s commercial shipping traffic. This initiative builds on the success of the port’s shore power facility for cruise ships, which saw 68% of visiting cruise vessels utilising the system in its first full year of operation in 2024.

The forthcoming containership facility will feature an advanced setup, including a transformer station and power management system supplied by PowerCon. ShibataFenderTeam and Igus will contribute a flexible cable system designed to accommodate the varying needs of vessels. When fully operational, the system will be capable of supplying power to up to four containerships simultaneously.

Jacob Bjarkam, head of sales at PowerCon, highlighted the project’s technological innovation: “The shore power facility at the container terminal is one of the most advanced projects in Europe. We are proud that PowerCon’s technology and expertise contribute to a vision that sets new standards for green port operations.”

The project is part of the broader “OPS Network” initiative, which aims to establish shore power facilities for containerships in key Northern European ports, including Aarhus, Gothenburg, Bremerhaven, and Stockholm, by 2030. The initiative has secured €18.8 million in funding from the European Union’s “Connecting Europe Facility” programme.

Anne Zachariassen also acknowledged the importance of international cooperation in advancing sustainable maritime practices: “We are very pleased that the European Commission and the CEF Committee recognise our high ambitions for the green transition. As some of Northern Europe’s most important ports, it is fantastic that we can collaborate to reduce the shipping industry’s climate footprint. Shore power for containerships is a crucial part of this effort.”

The new facility at the Port of Aarhus is expected to be operational by 2026, further strengthening the port’s position as a leader in sustainable maritime infrastructure.