Port of Helsingborg to offer shore power for container ships

Port of Helsingborg will launch Scandinavia’s first OPS for container ships by 2026, boosting sustainability and meeting EU rules.

The Port of Helsingborg has announced plans for its first onshore power supply (OPS) facility for container vessels, scheduled for commissioning in autumn 2026. The facility will enable container ships to connect to electricity while berthed at the container terminal.

“Becoming the first port in Scandinavia to offer shore power for container vessels is a major milestone in our climate transition. It demonstrates our commitment to a fossil-free future and strengthens our offer to shipping lines with high sustainability ambitions. With this investment, we are not only meeting future environmental requirements – we are leading the way,” said Bart Steijaert, CEO of the Port of Helsingborg.

Shipping lines have welcomed the initiative. “Being able to connect to electricity immediately upon arrival is something we’ve long called for. It significantly reduces our port-side emissions and helps us reach our own climate targets,” said Gunnlaugur Grettisson, Managing Director of Eimskip Sweden.

The OPS installation will have a capacity of up to 3.5 MW, sufficient to meet the energy needs of a typical feeder container vessel and compliant with international standards. This output is comparable to the simultaneous electricity consumption of around 2,000 homes.

Electrically powered vessels, including Svitzer’s new hybrid tugboat, are already in operation at Helsingborg.

In 2019, the Environmental Permit Authority ruled that the port must be able to provide shore-side power connections for container vessels within seven years. Developed in partnership with Actemium, the new facility will meet this obligation and accommodate future technical requirements.

From 2030, the European Union will mandate shore power use for larger vessels while at berth. Helsingborg’s investment aligns with both Swedish climate goals and forthcoming EU regulations. For shipping lines prioritising emissions reduction, OPS access is expected to become an increasingly important factor in port choice.

The first OPS unit will be installed at the container terminal, where infrastructure and vessel traffic make it well suited to the technology. The port already provides shore power for ferries at the City Port and is now preparing to extend this capability to the container segment.

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This article was written by the World Cargo News Editorial Team / ANP and was published on August 5, 2025, on worldcargonews.com.

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