- Ports of Stockholm has inaugurated Sweden’s second OPS facility for international cruise ships.
- The port provides discounts on fees for environmentally high-performing ships and offers facilities for wastewater discharge and waste management.
- The initiative reinforces Stockholm’s position as a leading, climate-smart cruise destination in the Baltic Sea region.
Ports of Stockholm has advanced its commitment to sustainable shipping with the inauguration of Sweden’s second onshore power connection for international cruise ships. With two facilities now available, more vessels can plug into electricity while docked, significantly cutting air emissions and noise pollution. This development further establishes Stockholm as a leading destination for environmentally responsible cruise tourism, in the report released by Ports of Stockholm.
Ports of Stockholm Expands Onshore Power Supply Infrastructure for Cruise Ships
Ports of Stockholm has inaugurated Sweden’s second onshore power supply (OPS) facility for international cruise ships, furthering its commitment to sustainable port operations. The new high-voltage facility, launched on 12 May with the connection of the Viking Jupiter, enables cruise ships to switch off their auxiliary engines while docked, significantly reducing both air emissions and noise pollution. Built according to international standards, this OPS facility—alongside Sweden’s first, inaugurated last year—allows around half of all cruise ship calls in Stockholm to connect to clean electricity sourced entirely from renewable wind and hydropower.
This initiative is part of a long-term strategy by Ports of Stockholm to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, air pollutants, and noise from ships and port operations. Expanding onshore power access is a key measure to achieve these goals. In collaboration with other major Baltic Sea ports—Copenhagen/Malmö, Aarhus, and Helsinki—Ports of Stockholm secured EU funding for the OPS investment at the centrally located Stadsgården 160 quay.
Sustainability Measures Strengthen Stockholm’s Cruise Appeal
Ports of Stockholm offers port fee discounts to shipping customers who demonstrate high environmental performance through the Environmental Ship Index (ESI) and the Clean Shipping Index (CSI). These incentives target reductions in carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, and particulate emissions.
Additionally, cruise ships visiting Stockholm can discharge wastewater at designated cruise quays, with four out of five international cruise ships utilizing these facilities. Ships that treat wastewater onboard or store it for later disposal are also common. Solid waste delivery is mandatory for all vessels, and ports offer reduced fees for source-separated waste, promoting responsible waste management across all visiting cruise ships.
Jens Holm, Chair of the Board of Ports of Stockholm, stated that the inauguration of Sweden’s second onshore power connection for cruise ships marked another significant milestone for both the organization and the environment. He expressed pride in being able to offer a more climate-smart solution to their shipping customers, emphasizing that it plays a major role in establishing Stockholm as a sustainable premium destination for cruise traffic.
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Source: PortsofStockholm
