Cruise Europe, in collaboration with Cruise Baltic and Cruise Britain, has launched its Active Land Power (OPS) database, which details the ports in Cruise Europe's geographical area that are ready to receive land power or will be within five years.
The database contains a list of 23 ports, along with information on onshore power supply, connection times, applicable rates, discounts, and incentives.
Simone Maraschi, President of Cruise Europe's Sustainability Group, states: “As the industry's commitment to zero emissions continues at a steady pace, the development of OPS systems will clearly play a key role in this process. More and more ports are offering OPS connections, and more and more OPS systems are being designed in European ports.”.
“With this in mind, collaboration between ports and cruise lines is crucial. Therefore, Cruise Europe has decided to create a database with all the (important) technical information on active OPS systems and those in the planning phase.”.
The database will be constantly updated to provide cruise lines with key information on existing and developing OPS facilities. It will be an important tool for planning potential itineraries.
EC President Michael McCarthy commented: “By 2030, all EU ports and visiting vessels will be required to use Operations Protection Systems (OPS) or an alternative means of supplying power to a berthed vessel instead of using their diesel generators. The availability of electricity from clean or low-carbon sources ensures an overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.”
In addition to benefiting cruise lines, OPS can also contribute to localized environmental improvements in CE and CB member ports and surrounding areas by reducing harmful emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and particulate matter associated with poor air quality, noise and vibration.
