In an Australian-first, New South Wales is taking significant steps to reduce cruise ship emissions with the awarding of a $20 million contract to kickstart the Shore Power project at White Bay Cruise Terminal.
This initiative will enable cruise ships to connect to landside electricity while docked, cutting engine use and significantly reducing pollution.
“This will be the first project of its kind in Australia, and it will be run on renewables. Awarding the contract for the Shore Power equipment design, fabrication, supply and installation, marks a major milestone in this complex project,” said Federal Member for Sydney Tanya Plibersek.
The Shore Power infrastructure will provide cleaner air and less noise for residents of Balmain and Rozelle, communities set to expand with the upcoming Bays Metro West development.
The new system is expected to reduce emissions by over 4,000 tonnes annually and contribute to a more sustainable future for the precinct.
Minister for Transport Jo Haylen emphasised the long-term benefits of the project: “This will be the first major shore power infrastructure in the southern hemisphere and the carbon emissions reduction this project at White Bay will achieve is equivalent to taking 1,100 cars off Sydney’s roads or planting 20,000 trees each year.
The contract for installing shore power at White Bay has been awarded to Powercon, a global leader in this technology. Initial site preparation is set to begin by late 2024, with full completion targeted for 2026.
Once operational, all shore power-enabled ships docking at White Bay will be required to use the system, aligning Sydney with global ports in Europe where shoreside electricity will be mandatory from 2030.
“The community in Balmain has had to wait far too long for shore power to become a reality,” added Plibersek.
“This will be the first project of its kind in Australia, and it will run on renewables. Today, we’re keeping the promise we made five years ago.”
The cruise industry, which contributed $2.75 billion to the NSW economy in 2022-23 and created around 9,000 jobs, is expected to benefit from the cleaner and more sustainable docking processes.
Port Authority NSW CEO Philip Holliday stated, “Port Authority is focused on progressing the Shore Power project to our revised delivery date and creating a world-class, integrated, sustainable port of the future that supports our economy, the community and the NSW Government’s vision for the area.”
According to the government, the project’s completion is eagerly anticipated as NSW sets a precedent for other Australian ports.
