
The Port of Aarhus, Denmark's largest commercial port, is set to establish the country’s first shore power facility for container ships. The new agreement, finalized with Danish company PowerCon, ensures the project will be one of the most advanced of its kind in Europe.
The facility, located at Aarhus’ container terminal, aims to enable container ships to connect to shore power, eliminating the need for diesel generators. This innovation will significantly reduce noise and local air pollution.
“We are pleased that we can once again collaborate with PowerCon to establish a shore power facility. It benefits both the surrounding residents and employees at the port,” said Anne Zachariassen, COO of the Port of Aarhus.
The system will supply power to up to four container ships simultaneously. PowerCon will deliver the transformer station and power management system, while ShibataFenderTeam and Igus will provide a mobile cable system to accommodate ships of varying sizes.
The project is part of the EU-supported “OPS Network” initiative, funded by the Connecting Europe Facilities program with an €18.8 million grant. Ports in Aarhus, Gothenburg, Bremerhaven, and Stockholm aim to implement shore power systems by 2030, significantly contributing to the shipping industry’s green transition.
“The European Commission’s recognition of our ambitions is a fantastic step toward reducing the shipping industry’s climate footprint,” added Zachariassen.
The Aarhus container terminal shore power project is scheduled for completion in 2026.