Later this year Associated British Ports (ABP) will place an onshore power supply (OPS) facility at the Port of Southampton's Mayflower cruise terminal.

The investment is the next step in an ongoing partnership with Carnival UK to enable sustainable cruising from the Port of Southampton. It has also received support from HM Government's Local Growth Deal that provides funds to Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) for projects that benefit the local area and economy.

According to ABP, the new equipment will reduce carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 863 kg and 10.5 kg, respectively, per vessel call each year.

Southampton's first OPS had been installed at the port's new horizon cruise terminal.

"We are delighted to see the advance in shore power technology and the fitting of this into Mayflower Cruise Terminal. A number of our P&O Cruises and Cunard ships are already shore-power enabled and we have plans to install this capability across our fleet. We very much look forward to our return to service this summer and being able to plug into this option while our ships are in port," Simon Palethorpe, President, Carnival UK, said.

Anne-Marie Mountifield, Chief Executive, Solent Local Enterprise Partnership, added, "We're extremely proud to support Associated British Ports' programme of enabling shore power for cruise ships, as part of our vision to be the global leader in maritime and climate change adaptation. Southampton's shore power 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."

Photo: Associated British Ports