Marseille Fos Connects Three Cruise Ships to Renewable Shore Power

The Port of Marseille Fos has demonstrated that it can connect three large cruise ships to shore power at the same time, a capability it expects to have fully in service by 2026.

Three-ship shore power milestone at the Eastern Docks

The Mediterranean port said the infrastructure has been installed at its Eastern Docks and is designed to supply shore-side electricity to three cruise ships simultaneously, allowing vessels alongside the quay to switch off their engines while in port.

Marseille Fos described the demonstration as the first time in the Mediterranean that three cruise ships have been connected to shore power at once. The port also said the electricity supplied through the system is 100 percent renewable.

Testing timeline and planned move into regular operations

According to the port, testing began in late 2025. Marseille Fos said it expects the system to be fully operational in 2026, positioning the port among the first in Europe and the Mediterranean with the capacity to reliably accommodate three large cruise ships on shore power at once.

The port’s stated next step is moving from the trial phase into routine use for cruise calls at the Eastern Docks using renewable shore-side electricity.

Nearly €200 million investment backed by regional partners

Marseille Fos said it has invested nearly €200 million to upgrade the Eastern Docks as part of the electrification effort. The port added that more than half of the funding was secured through a partnership with institutional stakeholders, which it credited with helping enable the three-ship connection capability.

The port named the following public bodies as contributors to the project:

• The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region (cited for its public policy role and financial contribution)
• The Bouches-du-Rhône department
• The Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis
• The City of Marseille

Policy context and regional air-quality aims

Marseille Fos framed ship-to-shore connections as both a requirement and a priority for the maritime sector under government direction, describing the Eastern Docks investment as a response to those expectations.

Christophe Castaner, president of the Port of Marseille Fos supervisory board, credited the port’s teams for delivering the capability. “Providing shore-side electrical connections for cruise ships is a genuine feat of technical prowess,” Castaner said.

He also linked the investment to regional objectives and the push for cleaner port calls, saying it is designed to balance port activity with environmental performance, including “sustainable improvements in air quality.”

Port positions project as a benchmark for electrification

Castaner said the port views the latest step as reinforcing its position in the shift toward shore-side electrification. “In passing this new milestone, the port has confirmed its position as a pioneer in shore-side electrification,” he said, adding that Marseille Fos aims to remain ahead of regulatory requirements.

He also pointed to the range of participation behind the project: “I would like to pay tribute to all the institutional partners and the companies that embraced this initiative and supported this groundbreaking project.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is shore power for cruise ships?

Shore power allows a cruise ship to connect to land-based electricity while berthed, reducing the need to run onboard generators and enabling ships alongside the quay to switch off their engines while in port.

What are the main environmental benefits Marseille Fos cites for shore power?

The port says plugging in at berth reduces harmful emissions and supports “sustainable improvements in air quality” for local communities. Marseille Fos also says the shore-side electricity supplied through its system is 100 percent renewable.

How many cruise ships can Marseille Fos connect to shore power at the same time?

Marseille Fos has demonstrated infrastructure designed to supply electricity to three large cruise ships simultaneously, including what it described as the first time in the Mediterranean that three cruise ships have been connected to shore power at once.

When will the shore power facilities be fully operational, and when did testing begin?

The port said testing began in late 2025, with full operational capability expected in 2026 as it transitions from trials into regular operations for cruise calls at the Eastern Docks.

Who is funding the shore power investment at the Eastern Docks?

Marseille Fos said it has invested nearly €200 million, with more than half funded through a partnership involving institutional stakeholders including the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, the Bouches-du-Rhône department, the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis, and the City of Marseille.