The discussion about a bold return of hundreds of cruise ships that once searched for new experiences in port towns before the pandemic, and the pollution they bring, is back in the spotlight. In this conversation, two Spanish port operators sit at the top in terms of carbon emissions. Barcelona ranked as Europe s most polluted port last year, with cruise ships releasing almost three times more sulfur oxides than all the cars in the city, while Palma de Mallorca followed closely, behind Civitavecchia (Rome). A report prepared by Transport and Environment outlines these findings. The port network is actively modernizing its infrastructure to cut emissions and power up its operations using onshore power supply OPS. This transformation will create more than 1,000 jobs as ports deploy OPS systems to reduce carbon output.
The conclusions come from the report Target 2030: Towards 100% electrification of Spanish ports, produced by maritime consultancy Ocean Capital Partners. The shift toward a sustainable port infrastructure is steered by European rules that require OPS installations in facilities before 2030. In Spain, the planned changes demand an investment of about 500 million euros for 48 port operations across the network, according to estimates from State Ports. The exact amount varies with the unique features of each port and whether public aid supports these efforts. For example, the government has introduced port tax bonuses, subsidies for OPS technology investments, and reductions in electricity duty, among other incentives, to encourage comprehensive electrification of the port system.
Completing these studies matters for an industry under scrutiny for the environmental impact of its activities. Findings from OCP indicate emissions could drop by 50 to 60 percent depending on the energy mix used in Spain, where renewable generation currently accounts for 42 percent of total demand. If the electricity system leans entirely on renewable energy by 2050, ship emissions could fall by 100 percent. Quantitatively, the potential emission reduction could reach 65 percent, roughly 600,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. That figure would be similar to the emissions from 100,000 national air operations.
Electrifying ports does more than cut carbon. It benefits the cities hosting the ports as well. For instance, quieter docking operations can be achieved by using new electric propulsion on ships approaching the docks, reducing noise in the port area. This transition also offers financial advantages. Starting in 2024, reforms will roll out gradually through 2026 as the European Union changes the emissions trading scheme for shipping. The RDCE will cover all emissions from ships during their journeys between European ports, during their port stays, and 50 percent of emissions on journeys between EU ports and ports in third countries. This regulatory shift is expected to have a strong economic impact on ship owners that breach the emissions limits, according to OCP.
Challenges to overcome before 2030
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Despite gains and regulatory obligations, several issues still must be addressed. One major hurdle is the state of the electricity grid in the final port mile. OCP notes that private investment is often hampered by concerns about whether the grid can handle large ship demands. Financing will also be crucial to meet deadlines for 2030, including obtaining permits from distribution companies to build new facilities or from city councils to open new power lines into the urban electrical network.
Another challenge involves determining the correct power needs for each vessel type arriving at the port, taking into account factors such as length, equipment, and vessel age. The new infrastructure must accommodate a wide range of characteristics. The final difficulty relates to the specific frequency of electricity supply, which will likely require a frequency converter within the OPS system, a factor that will raise the total cost of the port upgrade.