The Port of Kiel has concluded construction of its comprehensive shore power network’s final development phase.
Following this expansion, Kiel can simultaneously provide emission-free electrical supply to three cruise vessels and four ferry operations.
Since initiating green shore power services in 2019, the facility has established itself as a European leader in maritime electrification.
Over the weekend, Kiel Port activated its second cruise ship shore power installation at the Ostseekai terminal. This expansion enables simultaneous electrical supply to two cruise ships at this location, compared to the previous single-vessel capacity.
An additional cruise ship can access shore power at the Ostuferhafen terminal. This completed expansion represents the culmination of Kiel’s shore power development program, creating one of the world’s most comprehensive maritime electrification systems.
Dr. Dirk Claus, Managing Director of SEEHAFEN KIEL GmbH & Co. KG, stated the recent shore power investments totaled 50 million euros, achieving 60% ship emission reductions through shore power supply last year. By 2026, we will provide shore power to 80 percent of all vessels.
The new Ostseekai shore power installation features 16 MVA capacity, 50/60 Hz frequency, and 6.6/11 kV voltage specifications, complementing the existing facility operational since 2021.
Project partners included PowerCon, Siemens, Inros Lackner, and Stemmann. Kiel’s shore power infrastructure expansion received funding support from federal government, Schleswig-Holstein state, and European Union sources.
Federal and state financial assistance originated from the Climate and Transformation Fund and the Joint Task for Regional Economic Structure Improvement.
Kiel Port established early collaboration with shipping companies during shore power implementation. Beginning with daily Color Line ferry shore power supply in 2019 and Stena Line ferry services in 2021, the port rapidly developed cruise ship electrification infrastructure.
AIDAsol became Kiel’s first shore power-supplied cruise ship in 2021.
Through coordinated efforts with various shipping companies, systematic onboard technical upgrades and ship-system integration processes were implemented.
By 2024, cruise ship shore power utilization reached 120 seasonal calls. Currently, 24 distinct cruise ships have utilized Kiel facilities across more than 270 port calls.
Despite multi-week supply interruptions during construction phases, the port anticipates similar shore power consumption levels this year for ferries and cruise ships, approximating 10 million kilowatt hours matching previous year totals.
Shore power infrastructure expansion represented a priority initiative for Kiel seaport in reducing CO₂ emissions and air pollutant discharge from vessels during port stays.
Kiel Port maintains the objective of complete CO₂ emission elimination by 2030 representing an ambitious yet essential contribution to maritime energy transformation.
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