The port of Marseille has inaugurated a system that allows up to three cruise ships to be connected to the electrical grid simultaneously during their port calls. This installation, presented as a first in France, aims to reduce polluting emissions by allowing ships to shut off their engines once docked.
Each cruise ship can thus receive up to 16 megawatts of electricity, equivalent to the consumption of a city of 13,000 inhabitants. The energy supplied comes from renewable sources, particularly photovoltaic, in a context of a desire to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
A project ahead of European requirements
This system is part of the port's "Zero Smoke Stopover" plan, with a timetable ahead of the European targets set for 2030. Ultimately, a large majority of ships will have to be able to connect to shore power in order to limit their environmental impact during stopovers.
While this technology significantly reduces local pollution, particularly nitrogen oxide emissions, its impact remains limited on the overall scale of ship activities. Port entry and exit phases continue to generate a substantial portion of emissions.
A significant investment and uses yet to be confirmed
The project, funded by European and national public funds, represented an investment of approximately €210 million after more than two years of work. Equipping the ships also remains expensive for companies, which could hinder its adoption.
Several stakeholders emphasize that the effectiveness of the system will depend on its actual use by shipowners, who are not yet required to implement it. Despite these limitations, shore power is presented as a way to improve air quality and meet the expectations of local residents.
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