Successful test at CTA: MSC Athens charged with shore-side power for the first time

Last week, a further important milestone for the sustainable development of the Port of Hamburg was reached: the first “ship integration test” was successfully completed at CTA’s new shore-side power station. As part of this, the vessel belonging to the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) was supplied with the first test amounts of electricity from renewable sources. Overall, the shipping company owns approximately 40 vessels that can be charged with shore-side electricity. The test was carried out jointly by HPA, HHLA and MSC. Powercon and Igus acted as technology partners in charge of converters and connectors.

Friedrich Stuhrmann, Chief Commercial Officer of HPA: “Every successful ship integration test brings us one step closer to integrating the power stations into regular operations. I am delighted that MSC is on board with us to jointly contribute towards making shipping and operations in the Port of Hamburg more environmentally friendly by using shore power.”

Jan Hendrik Pietsch, Head of Sustainability at HHLA: “With the first successful test of the shore-side power station at CTA, we have come closer to the goal of installing modern power stations for the supply of shore-side electricity at all three HHLA container terminals in Hamburg. That is an important step towards climate-friendly port logistics. We are glad that our customers can thus charge their vessels during lay time with low-emission energy. This way, a further part of the supply chain can be decarbonised.”

Nils Kahn, Managing Director, MSC Germany: “The integration of shore power into our fleet is an important step towards sustainable shipping. We are pleased to be working with the Hamburg Port Authority and HHLA on this climate-friendly energy supply and to contribute to improving air quality in the Hanseatic city, because Hamburg and its port are important to us.”

As the infrastructure operator of the Port of Hamburg, HPA systematically drives forward the implementation of climate-friendly energy supply systems together with partners such as HHLA and leading shipping companies like MSC. The close cooperation with MSC – with a fleet increasingly equipped for shore-side electricity – underscores the joint responsibility and the commitment of all parties involved to sustainable solutions in the maritime sector.

With the power station at CTA, the third shore-side power station for container ships in the Port of Hamburg is now in the transitional phase leading up to regular operations. Additionally, the power station at HHLA Container Terminal Burchardkai is expected to be ready this year. This would mean that shore-side electricity would be provided at all mega-ship berths from the end of the year. The expansion of this infrastructure is a central component for turning Hamburg into a future-proof, low-emission port city.