MSC Containerships to Use Shore Power at Port of Hamburg

The transition towards the use of shore power continues unabated with the news that MSC, Mediterranean Shipping Company, will be using shore power on its container vessels at the Port of Hamburg.

Operated by Eurogate, the Hamburg Container Terminal (HCT) was the first of the major terminals to be outfitted with shore power capabilities just over two years ago. In fact, the Port of Hamburg has reported that it is the first large port in Europe capable of providing shore power for containerships.

The agreement also makes MSC the first shipping company to use shore power for both cruise ships and containerships.

The shore power plant at Hamburg Container Terminal has a total of three connection points, each with an output of 7.5 megavolt amperes. Furthermore, the HCT states that the electricity used in the system is 100 percent from renewable sources. Funded by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg with support from the federal government, the shore power system cost approximately €14 million.

Commenting on MSC’s agreement to use shore power at the Hamburg Container Terminal, Nils Kahn, the company’s managing director, said: 

“Hamburg and its port are important to us. That is why we are happy to take advantage of the Hamburg Port Authority’s offer to use shore power for our ships during layovers. At MSC, we are pleased to contribute to improving air quality in the Hanseatic city. As an international transport company, we see it as our responsibility to reduce CO2 emissions through innovative measures. This is another step on our way to net-zero and a more sustainable future”.

Hamburg’s senator for economic affairs, Dr. Melanie Leonhard also commented on the shore power agreement, stating:

“The expansion of shore power supply is an important project in the port for fewer emissions and more climate protection. We are now jointly advancing this technology; Hamburg is setting up the technology on land. But it also needs ships that use electricity from renewable energies and shipping companies that create the appropriate conditions. We are in good discussions with the customers of the Port of Hamburg on this. The fact that MSC, as the world’s largest container shipping company, is moving forward with us on this project is a big step towards more climate protection in the port”.

In a further boost to Hamburg’s green ambitions, a number of companies in the cruise segment have committed to using shore power during layovers in the port. These companies include TUI Cruises, Fred Olsen, Princess Cruises, Phoenix Reisen, and Norwegian Cruise Line.

The Port of Hamburg has also provided an update on its new cruise terminal in HafenCity; it is currently under construction and will also be equipped with a shore power system. Completion of the new terminal is expected to be completed in 2025.

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