TT Club issues on-shore power supply warning as deadline approaches

Mutual insurer TT Club has warned that a smooth adoption of on-shore power supply connections will require early co-operation between multiple stakeholders in and outside of ports in order to prepare the detailed, long-term plans necessary to provide cold-ironing services.   The company raised time-consuming processes including the potential need for electrical grid upgrades, risk assessments, and financial planning before on-shore power projects get underway.

The warning comes as a critical EU deadline approaches under Regulation 2023/1804 on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure, which mandates core ports in the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) use on-shore power supply from 2030, and requiring any EU port with on-shore power supply capabilities to use the systems from 2035.

Harry Palmer, risk assessment manager at TT Club, said: “cold ironing is not just a matter of installing plugs on the quay; supplying far higher levels of steady power to multiple ships simultaneously will require massive grid upgrades, large transformers and an array of specialised connectors. We’re talking about building the energy and risk management systems that will support the long-term sustainability of maritime trade.”

On-shore power supply provides electricity to vessels at-berth, allowing engines and generators to be turned off, cutting emissions in-port. By switching off engines using traditional fuels in-port, greenhouse gas emissions and emissions of pollutants such as particulates are dramatically reduced.

Despite the benefits of cold ironing and the looming EU deadline, TT Club said that only around 20% of the on-shore power supply connections required in Europe had been installed or contracted by mid-2025. Cruise terminals were at around 38% of the target and container terminals at just 11%, the club said.

“Port Authorities, port owners, terminal operators and their technical and risk management teams have to start detailed technical, financial and safety assessments now, and to involve all relevant stakeholders early in the process,” said Palmer. 

With substantial power requirements from hotel loads, cruise ships lead demand for power in-port, followed by container ships due to the power draw of reefer boxes.

In November 2025, the European Commission announced funding to 24 European ports for electrification and deployment of on-shore power supply, supporting a mix of projects to serve passenger and cargo ships in Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, and France. Investment commitments are rising; Italy has earmarked €700m for OPS projects, and both the Netherlands and the UK have pledged several hundred million euros each.

Although shipping companies are under pressure to cut emissions, and on-shore power supply is a recognised method of doing so, “high upfront costs and uncertain business models have slowed global adoption. With new European rules coming into force and public scrutiny rising, ports can no longer afford to wait,” said Palmer.