Dear readers, Copenhagen’s royal-inaugurated shore power and Subic Bay’s ₱250M project are leading the charge this week. Hybrid ferries and microgrids gain traction, yet grid upgrades lag. As IMO’s 2050 net-zero deadline looms, 60% of new vessels now integrate battery or dual-fuel systems, signaling an irreversible industry shift. Enjoy this edition!

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Top News

• AIDAnova pioneers shore power in Copenhagen: AIDAnova made history as the first cruise ship to connect to Copenhagen’s new 8MW shore power facility at Oceankaj Terminal, inaugurated by King Frederik X. The system expands AIDA Cruises’ electrified port network to 14 across Europe, with over 500 shore-powered calls planned in 2025, a 39% increase from 2024. Parent company Carnival Corporation aims for net-zero ship operations by 2050, leveraging this infrastructure to eliminate 30% of port emissions per vessel call. READ MORE

• Subic Bay advances $4.5M Shore Power project: The Philippines’ Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority has committed ₱250 million ($4.5M) to install shore power at its New Container Terminals by 2026, with Phase 2 targeting naval facilities by 2028. The renewable-powered system will reduce docked ship emissions by 95%, aligning with MARPOL Annex VI standards. SBMA is also negotiating a smart-port partnership with San Diego to integrate AI and automation into the carbon-neutral Freeport zone. READ MORE

• CIP’s $120M microgrid fund targets ports: Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and PensionDanmark launched Plexar Energy, backed by a €112.5 million ($120M) fund, to deploy port microgrids for shore power and EV charging. The first projects will prioritize heavy transport and data centers in Denmark, with industrial-scale installations expected by 2026. The initiative addresses grid congestion while providing ports with 24/7 renewable energy access. READ MORE

• BC Ferries’ 8MWh battery order signals shift: Corvus Energy will supply four 2,034 kWh Orca ESS units for BC Ferries’ new Damen-built electric vessels, totaling 8MWh capacity. The ferries, serving Nanaimo-Gabriola and Campbell River-Quadra Island routes from 2027, will charge exclusively from renewable shore power. This expansion follows the success of BC Ferries’ six existing hybrid vessels, which have reduced annual emissions by 18,000 tons since 2022. READ MORE

• NYC mandates Manhattan Cruise Terminal electrification: New York State legislation requires the Manhattan Cruise Terminal to complete shore power retrofits by 2029, eliminating emissions equivalent to 34,400 idling trucks daily. The $52M project mirrors Brooklyn Terminal’s 2016 electrification, which cut sulfur dioxide emissions by 97%. NYCEDC must now secure funding for grid upgrades to support the 12kV infrastructure. READ MORE

• HAROPA-Ningbo pact eyes green corridor: France’s HAROPA Port and China’s Ningbo-Zhoushan (1.37B tons cargo in 2024) will co-develop smart-port tech and a Seine-axis green corridor. The deal includes knowledge-sharing on shore power and hydrogen bunkering, with pilot projects slated for Le Havre by 2026. Ningbo’s 11% TEU growth last year underscores the urgency of decarbonizing high-volume trade routes. READ MORE 

• Candela’s hydrofoil ferry crosses Gibraltar: Candela’s C-8 Polestar Edition completed a 24-nautical-mile intercontinental crossing on just 40kWh (€8), showcasing hydrofoil efficiency. The 80% energy savings compared to diesel boats positions its 30-passenger P-12 ferry,already operational in Stockholm, for Mediterranean expansion. Avangreen’s solar-powered charging stations will support new routes along Spain’s Costa del Sol. READ MORE

• ABB’s high-density marine motor debuts: ABB’s new AMXE Marine Motor, optimized for hybrid and electric vessels, delivers 15% higher power density than previous models. The water-cooled design reduces noise by 20dB, critical for passenger vessels. Launching at Nor-Shipping 2025, it complements ABB’s HES880 inverter to help meet IMO’s 2050 net-zero target. READ MORE

• CMA CGM’s e-barge hits Vietnam (VIDEO): CMA CGM’s new 180km Binh Duong-Cai Mep electric barge, exclusively serving Nike, is powered by Gemalink Terminal’s solar farm. The $9.2M project avoids 778 tons of CO2 annually, equivalent to 170 passenger vehicles, while testing scaled deployments for Mekong Delta logistics. READ MORE

Study

• Batteries & Biofuels outpace Methanol: TFIE Strategy analysis shows biodiesel/HVO hybrids with battery systems offer 40% lower operational costs than methanol dual-fuel ships. With global biofuel production hitting 100M tons/year, versus 0.5M tons of renewable methanol, the data suggests shipping’s decarbonization will prioritize drop-in fuels for 85% of vessels by 2040. READ MORE

• Bonus: ShoreLink Mobile RoRo Cable Management System for shore power connection at Port of Barcelona