The first onshore power supply connection at Vuosaari Harbour in Finland is now operational. This system is utilized by the Finnlines vessels Finnmaid, Finnstar and Finnlady, managing cargo and passenger traffic between Helsinki and Travemünde.
Onshore power supply connection provides shore-based electricity to vessels docked at the port, allowing them to turn off their auxiliary engines and significantly reduce climate emissions in the harbour area by up to 50–80%.
The onshore power supply system at Vuosaari Harbour was completed towards the end of 2023, with a similar system finished at Travemünde Harbour in early 2024. Concurrently, Finnlines equipped its vessels with technology to receive onshore power. Finnmaid was the first ship to implement the new system.
“For years, Finnlines has invested systematically in improving the energy efficiency of its fleet. We will continue this development work in addition to our daily efforts. An onshore power supply is one important technical solution to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from ships. The Finnlines RoPax vessels Finnmaid, Finnstar and Finnlady operating between Helsinki and Travemünde can now use onshore power supply in both ports of call. In addition to emissions, the system also reduces harmful noise. This is an important environmental investment from both the Port of Helsinki and Finnlines,” commented COO Thomas Doepel, vice president of Finnlines.
Under the European Union (EU) legislation, by 2030, nearly all passenger and container ships will be required to use onshore power in ports that receive at least 50 large passenger vessel port calls per year or at least 100 container ship port calls per year.
“We wanted to make great strides in these investments that are crucial to the environment.
We built the first onshore power supply connections in ports in central Helsinki, where the reduction in air pollution will yield the most significant benefits due to housing near the ports. The first onshore power supply system in Katajanokka was completed in 2012, and we are now able to provide electricity generated on shore in Vuosaari as well,” stated Vesa Marttinen, VP of the cargo traffic business at Port of Helsinki.
Moreover, the onshore power supply system is customized for each type of vessel. The system at Quay C in Vuosaari includes a 4 MW transformer and two remote-controlled cable cranes. The company Electric Power Finland handled the system design and electrical installations, while the Port of Helsinki was responsible for the foundations and cable installations.
Preparations for onshore power supply projects for RoRo and LoLo transport to meet cargo transport needs will soon begin at Vuosaari Harbour, with these systems expected to be completed in 2026.
The Port of Helsinki and the Port of Lübeck received support from the European Union for constructing the onshore power supply system, contributing to efficient mobility and goods transport in Europe. The EU provides funding for projects that focus on environmental investments and emission reductions.
