The left in Hamburg’s parliament have drawn a “frightening” balance sheet on the use of shore power by ships in Germany’s largest seaport. “The shore power system in Altona has been in place for years – and is hardly used,” said the port expert of the left parliamentary group in the citizenship, Norbert Hackbusch. “China, the USA and now Amsterdam are showing that compulsory shore power works. And especially in Hamburg with its port in the middle of the city, enforcement is also crucial.” That is why the parliamentary group in Hamburg now wants to advocate for compulsory shore power. The NDR had previously reported.
The ships at the Altona terminal are either not capable of shore power or they are capable of shore power but not yet adjusted to the system (certified), the parliamentary group criticizes. Ships capable of shore power, such as the “Aidasol”, docked at another terminal, where there was previously no shore power system.
The city of Hamburg has already started equipping the other two cruise terminals Steinwerder and Hafencity with shore power. In addition, the first two container terminals, Tollerort and Burchardkai, are to be equipped with shore power systems.
Shore power is, among other things, an important building block on the way to climate neutrality in shipping. So far, many seagoing vessels have kept their engines running in port in order to supply themselves with electricity – with the corresponding exhaust gases and CO2 emissions. Therefore, the Hamburg air pollution control plan also relies on the increased use of shore power.
However, for reasons of competition, the issue can only be solved on an international scale. If there is an obligation to use shore power, which has so far been quite expensive compared to the use of ship diesel, shipowners could consider switching to other ports without shore power obligations. Against this background, the EU Commission’s climate plan (“Fit for 55”) – which is still being discussed in the EU – provides for corresponding rules.
“Hamburg should follow Amsterdam’s example and not wait for a regulation from Brussels, which is being pushed back and forth after the experiences of recent years,” says the Left Group. It is therefore demanding shore power in Altona by the beginning of 2028 at the latest, in Hafencity and Steinwerder by the beginning of 2029 and also at the container terminals.
