Sweden's second OPS for cruise ships inaugurated in Stockholm  

Ports of Stockholm has now inaugurated Sweden’s second facility for onshore power supply (OPS) for international cruise ships. The new facility was put into operation on 12 May when Viking Jupiter was connected. Last year, Ports of Stockholm open Sweden’s first electricity connection for cruise ships.

“The inauguration of Sweden’s second onshore power connection for cruise ships is another important milestone for us and for the environment, and we are proud to be able to offer a more climate-smart solution for our shipping customers. It contributes greatly to creating a sustainable premium destination for cruise traffic, both in Stockholm and in the entire Baltic Sea region,” said chair of the board of Ports of Stockholm, Jens Holm.

The new high-voltage facility is built according to international standards and allows ships to switch off their auxiliary engines while at berth. This reduces emissions to air and also reduces noise levels. With the two facilities, Ports of Stockholm can connect about half of all cruise calls in Stockholm. The electricity used is 100% green and comes from renewable sources such as wind and hydro power.

Together with three other Baltic Sea ports - Copenhagen/Malmö, Aarhus and Helsinki - Ports of Stockholm has received EU funding for the investment in onshore power supply at the centrally located quay Stadsgården 160.

Ports of Stockholm rewards shipping customers through discounts on port fees for ships that achieve high environmental performance according to the Environmental Ship Index and Clean Shipping Index. The discounts aim to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and particles.

Cruise ships calling at Ports of Stockholm can discharge their wastewater at cruise quays. Four out of five of all international cruise ship calls in Stockholm use these facilities. However, not all vessels discharge wastewater during their call – many have advanced wastewater treatment plants on board to treat it or store it in tanks for discharge at a later port. 

The port said much of the ferry traffic in Ports of Stockholm has been connected to onshore power for a long time.