Hamburg Port Ups Discount for Use of Harbor Power

In an effort to better control portside emissions, the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) has increased the discount for cruise and container vessels visiting the port and using the “environmentally friendly” harbor electricity. 

Effective July 1, the discount enables ships to save up to EUR 3,000 (USD 3,440) instead of current EUR 2,000.

With this move, the HPA said it wants to encourage more port users to stop using their own, less expensive electricity while their ships are at berth.

Under the term harbor electricity, the port refers to the use of onshore power supply but also to an alternative power supply while a ship is docked at the port, for example, LNG. As explained, the port focused on cruise ships and boxships as they have a greater need for electricity.

“Our goal is to contribute to air pollution control and to keep Hamburg as an attractive port of call,” Tino Klemm, HPA’s CFO and Member of the Management Board, pointed out.

In the course of the next few years, the HPA plans to install power plant units in accordance with its second Air Pollution Control Plan. The so-called PowerPacs will be used. PowerPac is a mobile, environmentally friendly power supply which can fulfill energy needs of containerships berthed at the port.

World Maritime News Staff; Image Courtesy: Hafen Hamburg/Jorg Modrow