Thursday, June 24, 2021 - 12:21 by ce-press
ABP announces plans to install a second shorepower connection at the Port of Southampton, continuing its support for sustainable cruising. It will be commissioned and installed this year.
The Mayflower terminal is set to be equipped with the same plug-in technology as that at the new Horizon terminal. This is the next step in an ongoing partnership with Carnival UK to enable sustainable cruising from the Port of Southampton and follows a £12 million (€14 million) investment at Ocean Terminal, in readiness for LNG-powered P&O Cruises’ Iona.
Alastair Welch, regional director Port of Southampton, said: “We are incredibly proud to be making another significant step as we further develop our sustainable credentials for cruise with Carnival UK here in Southampton. This is good news for the port, for air quality and for the future of cruise.”
Whilst Anne-Marie Mountifield, chief executive Solent Local Enterprise Partnership, said: "Southampton's shorepower initiative is a huge opportunity to pioneer the green credentials of our local economy and the wider advances in maritime technology that are so important to Southampton and the wider Solent region."
By introducing the option for cruise ships, with onboard capability, to plug in while alongside, the port could start seeing CO2 emission savings of up to 863kg in CO2 and 10.5kg of Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) per vessel call each year.
The project involves upgrading 430m of quayside to reinforce the structure and to incorporate the technology for shorepower connectivity. The work is part of the port’s long-term investment plan to future-proof infrastructure for customers and port partners. Included in the work is the installation of 14 new 150-tonne bollards which will enable increased flexibility for positioning large ships at the port.
Welch said: “We’re excited to be rebuilding the quayside for Ro-Ro operations and the future of cruise. This investment into the long-term future of cruise will strengthen the Port of Southampton’s position as Europe’s leading cruise turn-around port.”
In addition ABP has taken delivery of a £5 million (€5.85 million) custom-built airbridge in preparation for the opening of the new Horizon Cruise Terminal. Situated at 102 berth in the Western Docks, this is one of two to be permanent positioned at the terminal. The first cruiseship call at the terminal is due in July.
