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Svitzer opens shore-power facility in Port of London
One of the world’s largest tug owners has invested in its tugboat base in the Port of London, UK, to lower emissions when vessels are berthed and waiting for their next job
Svitzer has installed a shore-power station in Kent, UK, to lower emissions from its tugboat fleet operating on the River Thames.
The Danish tug owner worked with Net Zero Marine (NZM) and several subcontractors to install a 550,000-kW facility to provide electric power sourced from renewable energy resources to tugs moored at its wharf in Denton near Gravesend.
Svitzer estimates this will cut CO2 emissions by more than 280,000 kg annually as its tugs will use the shore power instead of their diesel generators when at berth.
This project, completed in October 2025, represents one of the largest, non-subsidised, shore power installations in the UK. A cable bridge was installed over the flood wall to the tug mooring platform, using 900 m of marine-grade cabling and five isolation points for safety.
The electrical power supply uses a 100% renewable tariff from TotalEnergies, and paves the way for introducing battery-electric tugs in the Port of London.
Svitzer is investing in electric-powered tugboats, having operated hybrid-propulsion vessels in Australia for more than 12 years, and introduced its first battery-electric tug into its European operations, Svitzer Ingrid in Sweden, in Q3 2025.
“At Svitzer, we have set ambitious yet achievable targets to decarbonise our global operations together with our customers and the communities we are part of,” said Svitzer UK managing director Michael Paterson. “This is another important step in becoming net-zero by 2040.”
Svitzer expects its first electric-powered tug to cut around 600-900 tonnes of CO2 emissions, compared with a conventional diesel-fuelled tug.
Port of London Authority has been working with marine contractors and vessels operators to introduce shore power at its quaysides and wharves along the River Thames.
“Shore power is essential to decarbonising ports and inland waterways,” said Port of London Authority director of sustainability Grace Rawnsley. “We welcome and applaud projects like this on the river that bring us closer to realising a zero-carbon future for the River Thames.”
The UK Department for Transport estimates around 50% of greenhouse gas emissions from UK domestic maritime come from vessels at berth.
“We are cutting emissions across shipping and charting a course to net zero by 2050, cementing the UK’s position as a clean-energy power to deliver our change plan,” said UK government maritime minister Keir Mather.
"Projects like this are vital to decarbonising maritime, supporting jobs and driving growth in our port towns.”
Rock Power Connections supported NZM by designing and building the new electrical connection to deliver zero-emissions power to the Svitzer tug fleet at Denton.
Riviera’s 28th International Tug & Salvage Convention, Exhibition & Awards will be held in Gothenburg, Sweden, in association with Caterpillar, 19-21 May 2026. Use this link for more details of this industry event and the associated social and networking opportunities.
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