Clean energy for ships straight from the grid
Shore power enables vessels to switch off their on-board diesel generators completely while in port and to use energy from shore instead. The ports in Bremerhaven and Bremen purchase green power from renewable energy sources specifically for that purpose, thus significantly reducing emissions such as nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), sulphur oxides (SOₓ), particulates and CO₂. This simultaneously lowers noise and vibration pollution in the neighbouring districts, so that shore power directly helps to improve air quality and promote sustainable urban development in the cities of Bremerhaven and Bremen.
By expanding the shore power infrastructure, the ports of Bremen boost their competitiveness and make an active contribution towards the decarbonization of shipping.
Obligatory as from 2030
In accordance with the EU regulations AFIR (Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation) and FuelEU Maritime, the TEN-T core ports are obliged to provide shore power infrastructure for container and cruise ships by the year 2030. At the same time, vessels with the appropriate equipment will be obliged to use shore power throughout their time in berth if this is available.
Bremerhaven is thus not only fulfilling regulatory requirements, but also showing itself to be a forward-looking, climate-aware port location.
Extremely high technical and safety standards
Development of the shore power system is anything but trivial as construction will take place while port operations are in progress. All the work will be scheduled to tie in with transhipment operations, planned and executed in accordance with international standard IEC/IEEE 80005-1 to satisfy extremely high technical and safety standards.
Current expansion of shore power facilities in Bremerhaven
The first construction phase envisages five shore power supply facilities. The first facility at Nordhafen automobile terminal has been in operation since January 2026, the others are currently at different stages of implementation.
A fixed cable management system at the MSC Terminal at KM 1,650
A fixed berth area with a cable management system with two plugs will be created directly on the quayside.
The vessel has to berth so that its on-board shore power connection is located exactly above the on-shore plant. Two plugs are then lowered and connected to the shore power system.
- Voltage: 6.6 kV
- Frequency: 50 Hz / 60 Hz
- Power output: 7.5 MVA
- Completion: April 2026
A mobile cable management system at the CTB Terminal between KM 2,200 and KM 2,590
A flat, 390-metre-long rail system with internal cable carrier will be installed directly on the quayside in front of the bollards.
A vehicle with two sockets runs along this rail to the shipside connection point. Two plugs are then lowered and connected to the shore power system.
- Voltage: 6.6 kV
- Frequency: 50 Hz / 60 Hz
- Power output: 7.5 MVA
- Completion: scheduled for the end of 2026 / early 2027
A mobile cable management system at the NTB Terminal between KM 3,810 and KM 4,160
A flat, 350-metre-long rail system with internal cable carrier will be installed directly on the quayside in front of the bollards.
A vehicle with two sockets runs along this rail to the shipside connection point. Two plugs are then lowered and connected to the shore power system.
- Voltage: 6.6 kV
- Frequency: 50 Hz / 60 Hz
- Power output: 7.5 MVA
- Completion: scheduled for the end of 2026 / early 2027
A mobile cable management system at Berth A
In the northern part of the mooring area, an approx. 300-metre-long energy chain will be installed in an underground cable duct. This is connected to the shore power vehicle, which provides the shore power cables for connection to the cruise vessel.
- Voltage: 6.6 kV / 11 kV
- Frequency: 50 Hz / 60 Hz
- Power output: 10 MVA / 16 MVA
- Completion: scheduled for the end of 2026 / early 2027
A mobile cable management system at Nordhafen Ost
A power socket box with a range of approx. 100 metres has been installed on the quay. The cable crane vehicle is connected to this box and carries the shore power cable incl. socket to the shore power hatch of the vessel, where it is connected.
- Voltage: 6.6 kV / 11 kV
- Frequency: 50 Hz / 60 Hz
- Power output: 2.5 MVA / 4 MVA
- Completion: November 2025
Registration procedure for the use of shore power
If you wish to use shore power at berths with the appropriate facilities, you are obliged to submit an application to Bremen’s Port Authority.
On receipt of your application, we will check the availability of a shore power connection for the required berth and dates. If this is available, you will receive the documents required for the compatibility test, which involves a technical comparison of the vessel’s data with the shore power facility concerned. You will also receive a general contract for the use of shore power, which has to be signed by both parties.
When you use the shore power supply for the first time, an on-site integration test will also be carried out. Regular shore power supply can begin once you have successfully completed all the required tests.
Supported by EU funding and federal grants
The ports of Aarhus, Gothenburg, Bremerhaven and Stockholm will receive a total of 18.8 million euros from the EU fund “Connecting Europe Facilities” provided by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) for the supply of shore power to seagoing vessels. Bremerhaven will receive 5.23 million euros of that sum, which corresponds to roughly 50 per cent of the cost of one single shore power connection.
The first development phase in Bremerhaven will additionally receive around 22 million euros of funding from the German government. This development phase will cost approx. 50 million euros, so that despite the available funding, it will still be a substantial cost factor for Bremerhaven.
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