Offshore charging to be tested in one of Europe’s busiest shipping zones

Funding from the European Union’s flagship Horizon Europe research and innovation programme will be used for project SPARK, which brings together eight partners from five countries.

The three-year project will test a pilot offshore power zone in Skagen, Denmark, one of northern Europe’s busiest anchorages, in order to reduced greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) generated by idling ships.

Vessel charging technology specialist Stillstrom, which originally developed offshore charging systems for the offshore wind industry, will spearhead the project, working alongside partners Aalborg University, DNV, Maersk, MARIN, Port of Malta, Port of Skagen and University College London. Together, the consortium combines expertise across vessel operations, port infrastructure, research, simulation training and regulatory frameworks to design, build and validate a scalable offshore power system.

Once established, the offshore power zone will enable vessels to plug into an at-sea power point with electricity provided via the nearby Port of Skagen. The pilot will initially support a single ship connection to prove the concept in a live operational environment, with the ambition to use the learnings to replicate and expand the solution globally.

Stillstrom chief executive Kristian Borum Jørgensen said, “Vessels that are idling in the near-shore environment are a significant source of GHG emissions, making them a clear and immediate opportunity for decarbonisation. 

“We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate through this programme, which reflects strong confidence in the potential of our technical and operational capabilities. 

“Project SPARK brings together partners from across the maritime ecosystem, enabling us to collectively accelerate offshore power from concept to real-world deployment, delivering a practical and economical solution for the maritime sector.”

Port of Skagen chief executive Willy Hansen described the project as a significant opportunity for one of northern Europe’s most important anchorage hubs. “By hosting this pilot offshore power zone, we are helping to demonstrate how we can directly reduce emissions from idling vessels and support the industry’s transition to cleaner operation. It also brings opportunities for local employment and skills development as new infrastructure is deployed and tested in the port environment.”

In parallel with technical delivery, the project will assess commercial viability and regulatory pathways to support wider adoption across the maritime industry.

The project will commence in June 2026, with an expected duration of 36 months.