Marseille Port to Provide Power to Three Cruise Ships At Once

Port of Marseille Fos is preparing to become one of the first Mediterranean ports able to provide shore power to three large cruise ships at once.

From this year, the port will deliver a total of 108 megawatts of electricity, sourced from renewable energy. Each vessel will be able to draw up to 16 MW, allowing ships to switch off their engines while docked and significantly reduce emissions.

This move puts Marseille ahead of European requirements, which call for broader adoption of shore power by 2030. The port has been working toward electrification for several years, starting with ferry connections in 2017.

The environmental benefits are expected to be considerable. Research suggests that using shore power could cut sulfur dioxide emissions by up to 80 percent, reduce fine particles by 75 percent, and lower nitrogen oxide emissions by 60 percent in the local area.

The initiative, called Zero Smoke Stopover, involved more than two years of construction and nearly €200 million in investment. It represents a major step forward in efforts to make cruise operations more sustainable across Europe.