Stockholm Expands Onshore Power for Cruise Ships with Second OPS Facility

Ports of Stockholm has launched Sweden’s second onshore power supply (OPS) facility for international cruise ships, further advancing its efforts to cut emissions and noise pollution from port operations. The new high-voltage connection, located at Stadsgården, became operational on May 12, when the Viking Jupiter became the first vessel to connect.

The move follows the opening of the country’s first OPS facility for cruise ships in 2023, marking steady progress in enabling cleaner port stays for visiting vessels. OPS technology allows ships to switch off their auxiliary engines while docked, significantly reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, as well as onboard noise.

Jens Holm, Chair of the Board of Ports of Stockholm, stated that the new connection contributes to establishing Stockholm as a more sustainable cruise destination, aligning with broader environmental goals for the Baltic Sea region.

With the two OPS stations now in place, approximately 50% of Stockholm’s cruise ship calls can be connected to shore power. The electricity provided is sourced entirely from renewable energy, including wind and hydro power.

The OPS expansion is part of a wider initiative in collaboration with other major Baltic ports—Copenhagen/Malmö, Aarhus, and Helsinki—supported by EU funding. These efforts aim to reduce the environmental footprint of cruise traffic in the region.

Ports of Stockholm also incentivizes cleaner operations through discounts on port fees for vessels meeting high environmental standards, as measured by the Environmental Ship Index (ESI) and Clean Shipping Index (CSI).

In addition to OPS access, cruise ships in Stockholm are encouraged to discharge wastewater at designated quays. Around 80% of international cruise vessels use these services, although some ships manage wastewater onboard using advanced treatment systems or storage for later disposal. All ships are required to offload solid waste, with reduced fees offered for source-separated waste.

Most ferry services operating in the port area have long been connected to shore power, demonstrating a continued push toward lower-impact maritime operations.