Portsmouth to offer quayside shore power for passenger shipping

Portsmouth International Port is introducing infrastructure in the harbour to provide electrical power to ferries and cruise ships, after its success in supplying power to berthing tugboats.

This municipal port, owned by the local council, is a critical part of the UK infrastructure for importing products and for cruise and ferry services.

Located next to the Royal Navy naval base, it has a regular fleet of tugboats operated by Boluda’s SMS Towage and regular ferry services to the Channel Islands and France.

Portsmouth International Port’s principal port project manager, Anisa Koci, said the facilities for providing power to ferries at berth should be ready this year.

She was speaking at one of Riviera’s conferences and exhibitions, held in London on 4-5 February 2025. Ms Koci said these facilities will enable ships, including Brittany Ferries’ hybrid-electric ships, to plug in simultaneously at three berths to reduce emissions while in the port.

Portsmouth International Port is halfway through this £24.0M (US$30.3M) infrastructure project, which could become a blueprint for other ports in the UK and Europe.