A new shore power facility has been inaugurated on Tuesday, October 26, at the DFDS terminal in Copenhagen (Denmark) by, among others, the Lord Mayor of Copenhagen, Lars Weiss. The facility reduces the ships’ CO2 emissions while in port, thus ensuring clean air for the benefit of the environment.
With the new shore power facility, the DFDS ferries have the possibility to connect to shore power in both Oslo and Copenhagen. This is the result of a partnership between CMP (Copenhagen Malmo Port) and DFDS, which makes it possible to switch off the generators of the ships while in port and significantly reduce the emission of air pollutants.
The Lord Mayor of Copenhagen, Lars Weiss, took part in the inauguration of the facility when the Pearl Seaways ferry was connected Tuesday morning. He said that with the new shore power facility, they were taking "an important step towards a Copenhagen with less air pollution."
"It is good for both the climate and the neighbours of the port that the ferries can now turn off the diesel engine and connect to climate-friendly electricity when they dock. I also look forward to establishing shore power for the cruise ships at Langelinie and in Nordhavn, as soon as Folketinget has changed the legislation.”
According to Barbara Scheel Agersnap, CEO of Copenhagen Malmo Port, the inauguration of the shore power facility for the DFDS ferries marked a very important step in their efforts "to make the port activities in Copenhagen greener." She added that the project would have "a significant great climate and environmental benefit.”
The new facility for DFDS is the first in the port of Copenhagen, but will not be the last one. In 2024, liners in the port are expected to be able to use shore power when they call at Ydre Nordhavn and Langelinie in Osterbro.
By Nordhavn’s CEO, Anne Skovbro said they were pleased that shore power was finally coming to Copenhagen.
"And this facility will not be the only shore power facility in Copenhagen. Right now we are working on finding advisors for the work to establish shore power for the city’s cruise ships in Ydre Nordhavn and on Langelinie, so that in the future we can ensure lower CO2 emissions from the ships – and thereby cleaner air to Copenhageners.”