The Department for Transport (DfT) is to collect evidence on the current scale of emissions in ports and the cost and benefits of shore power.
Maritime minister Robert Courts has asked the shipping and cruise sectors to provide examples of how ships can use shore power more often by a deadline of April 25.
The call for evidence will also examine how shore power can be rolled out further in UK ports, allowing more ships to plug into the national grid rather than burning fuel when docked.
Cruise line members of Clia agree pursuing shoreside power capability is part of a wider sector plan to reach net carbon neutral cruising by 2050 last year. As of November 2021, about 35% of ships that report data to Clia have shoreside power capability – an increase of 2.3 percentage points from 2020.
The DfT said: “Currently, berthed vessels must run their onboard diesel engines to power lighting, galleys, air conditioning and other amenities.
“It’s the equivalent of a car or van idling while parked, emitting polluting fumes into the air around ports and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.”
Announcing the call for evidence, Courts said climate change was “one of the biggest challenges” the UK faces and vowed to “continue to lead international efforts to decarbonise the maritime sector”.
He added: “Shore power will end the outdated practice of ships keeping their engines running while anchored in port, reducing the poisonous fumes entering the air and ensuring we meet our net zero 2050 goals.”
Mark Simmonds, director of policy and external affairs for the British Ports Association, said ports had “a key role” to play in supporting the decarbonisation of the shipping and cruise industries.
“This call for evidence is a step forward and will help us all better understand the current barriers to delivering more shore power to ships,” he said.
“We look forward to sharing the sector’s experiences so far and exploring how industry and government can work together to lower emissions in ports.”
Tim Morris, UK Major Ports Group’s chief executive, said: “Shore power has the potential to play a positive part in the future of zero emission maritime, although it is an area that currently faces some significant challenges.
“The call for evidence is, therefore, an important step in finding the right, viable ways that industry, government and networks can work together to support the wider deployment of shore power where it is an appropriate solution.”
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