The Port of Marseille, first in Europe to shore-side electrical connections to 3 cruise ships together

The Port of Marseille-Fos in Southern France officially activated on April 11, 2026 one of Europe’s most advanced shore-side electricity systems for cruise vessels, marking a significant milestone in the decarbonisation of maritime operations in the Mediterranean.

Unveiled in the presence of French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot, the new infrastructure allows up to three large cruise ships to connect simultaneously to shore-based renewable electricity while docked. This eliminates the need for ships to run onboard combustion engines during port calls, significantly reducing emissions in one of Europe’s busiest cruise hubs.

The system delivers a total installed electrical capacity of 108 MW, with each vessel able to draw up to 16 MW of power at 60 Hz—roughly equivalent to the electricity consumption of a town of around 13,000 residents. The technology ensures cruise ships can shut down their engines entirely while berthed, providing a direct and immediate reduction in local air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

The project is part of the “Onshore Power Supply for Ships – Smoke-Free Port Call” initiative, a flagship program designed to transform Marseille into a cleaner and more sustainable port. Following a testing phase that began in late 2025, the system is now fully operational, placing Marseille among the first ports in Europe and the Mediterranean capable of supporting three simultaneous cruise ship connections.

Crucially, the electricity supplied is 100% renewable. Power is generated through photovoltaic installations across port buildings and warehouses and distributed via France’s national grid operator ENEDIS. This ensures that ships are powered by clean energy rather than marine fuel while docked.

Reducing drastically emissions from ships on call

The environmental benefits are substantial. A 2024 study found that full electrification of quays could reduce emissions from ships calling at Marseille and Fos-sur-Mer by up to 80% for sulphur dioxide, 75% for fine particulate matter, and 60% for nitrogen oxides between 2022 and 2035. These reductions are expected to have a meaningful impact on local air quality and public health.

The infrastructure required more than two years of complex engineering work. The overall investment for the Eastern Docks project amounts to nearly €200 million. More than half of the funding was provided through partnerships between national, regional, and local authorities, including the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region, the Bouches-du-Rhône Department, the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis, and the City of Marseille.

Around 90% of the equipment used in the project was sourced from French industry, with the remainder manufactured elsewhere in Europe.

French officials described the project as a major step forward in maritime decarbonisation. Christophe Castaner, President of the Port Supervisory Board, called it a breakthrough that strengthens Marseille’s position as a pioneer in shore power technology while balancing economic activity with environmental responsibility.

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