Scotland’s Largest Maritime Decarbonisation Project Launches at Port of Aberdeen

The Port of Aberdeen has officially activated its new shore power infrastructure, marking Scotland’s most significant maritime decarbonisation project to date. The initiative enables vessels to plug into renewable electricity while docked at eight berths in the port’s North Harbour, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and noise.

The shore power system allows ships to shut down their auxiliary engines while at berth and connect to the port’s renewable energy supply. This move is expected to reduce emissions by up to 60,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent over the next two decades—comparable to removing approximately 2,140 vehicles from the roads each year.

A Milestone in Aberdeen’s Net Zero Journey

The project forms part of the UK Department for Transport’s Zero Emissions Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) programme, which is delivered in partnership with Innovate UK. The ‘Shore Power in Operation’ demonstrator represents a public-private investment of £4 million and positions the Port of Aberdeen, a Trust Port, on a path to become the UK’s first net zero port by 2040.

Bob Sanguinetti, CEO of Port of Aberdeen, described the project as transformative:

“This is the biggest maritime decarbonisation initiative in Scotland to date. It’s a £4 million investment in clean energy and a game-changer for the port and our customers—who will benefit from up to 80% reductions in emissions while at berth. We’re committed to leading the North Sea energy transition and setting new standards for sustainability in port operations.”

The first vessel to connect to the new infrastructure was the NS Iona, operated by OSM Thome. This is one of five vessels retrofitted to use shore power as part of the demonstrator.

Infrastructure Rollout and Future Expansion

The shore power system was delivered by Danish company PowerCon, a global leader in shore connection technology. In addition to the North Harbour installations, shore power infrastructure has been deployed at Regent Quay as part of Bibby Marine’s ZEVI-supported electric Service Operation Vessel project. Work is also nearing completion on shore power upgrades for Serco NorthLink’s passenger ferries, with funding from Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited.

Peter Selway, Shore Power Specialist at PowerCon, emphasized the importance of the initiative:

“Vessels at berth contribute significantly to domestic shipping emissions, accounting for nearly half of all related greenhouse gases. Shore power is a proven solution globally, and we’re pleased to see Aberdeen taking a leadership role in its adoption within the UK.”

National Significance and Industry Collaboration

The UK Government has allocated over £80 million through ZEVI to ten major projects, supported by more than 50 organizations across the UK. The Port of Aberdeen-led initiative brought together a consortium of partners including OSM Offshore, Tidewater Marine UK Ltd, Connected Places Catapult, the University of Manchester’s Tyndall Centre, Buro Happold, and Energy Systems Catapult.

Maritime Minister Mike Kane praised the collaborative effort:

“This is a major achievement that demonstrates the potential of decarbonisation when public and private sectors work together. Projects like this are not only good for the environment—they’re catalysts for economic growth and job creation in our coastal communities.”

The Port of Aberdeen plans to further expand its shore power capabilities across its 7,600-metre quayside. New research from the Tyndall Centre also outlines how supportive UK policy could accelerate similar deployments across other British ports.

Tags: CLean Shipping, Green Port, Maritime Decarbonisation, Shore Power, Zero Emissions