The Port of Hamburg's Altona cruise terminal has recently commissioned an automated shore-based power supply system, marking a significant step forward in green shipping for the German city. The innovative system consists of a remote-controlled platform vehicle and a large robotic arm that can flexibly adjust power supply interfaces, enabling electricity provision for docked cruise ships for the first time.
This breakthrough is expected to dramatically reduce pollutants emitted by berthed vessels, particularly nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, with reductions reaching 99% and just 3% to 17% of traditional power generation emissions respectively.
Environmental concerns about international shipping have grown in recent years, especially in port cities. Research shows that a single large container ship can emit pollutants equivalent to 300 container trucks, while a cruise ship's emissions match those of 2,200 cars. In response to these challenges, the EU established policies in 2013 to accelerate shore power infrastructure development, aiming to implement power supply capabilities at all major ports by 2050.
Against this backdrop, Hamburg chose to prioritize cruise ship shore power facilities to address both the significant electricity demands of docked cruise ships and environmental concerns from nearby residents. The €10 million facility boasts an impressive 12 megawatts of power capacity, connected via underground cables to the port's substation and designed for fully automated, user-friendly operation.
Hamburg is also pioneering mobile charging solutions with plans to deploy the world's first liquefied natural gas-powered charging vessel. This innovative ship will provide electricity to cruise ships and other vessels while simultaneously reducing sulfur, soot, and CO₂ emissions. The port's initiatives promise not only economic benefits for the shipping industry but also potential solutions for urban heating systems.
Meanwhile, in China, Shanghai Port has implemented a series of incentive policies to encourage vessels to use shore power, with plans for 90% of ships at major ports to utilize shore power by 2025. The parallel developments in Hamburg and Shanghai are injecting new momentum into green shipping cooperation between Europe and Asia, potentially paving the way for a more environmentally sustainable "Maritime Silk Road" connecting the two continents.
