In an Australian-first, NSW is charging up for a cleaner cruise industry, with a $20 million contract awarded to begin the landmark Shore Power project at White Bay Cruise Terminal.

Shore Power is wharf-side infrastructure that provides cruise ships with electricity by connecting to a landside charger, which results in fewer emissions as the engine does not have to stay running while docked.

This marks a huge step towards reducing cruise ship pollution, ensuring the cruise industry can be more sustainable and continue to thrive in NSW.

It comes as the summer cruise season officially kicks off in NSW, with the arrival of Diamond Princess into our harbour on Thursday morning and the Pacific Adventure at White Bay on Friday morning.

The latest data shows the cruise industry contributed $2.75 billion to the NSW economy in 2022-23 and created approximately 9000 jobs.

This project means cleaner air and less noise for the residents of Balmain and Rozelle, with the precinct and population expected to grow in the coming decade as the Bays Metro West opens and much-needed housing is delivered.

Shore Power is estimated to reduce emissions associated with the White Bay precinct by over 4,000 tonnes every year. The contract for the charger at White Bay berth 5 has been awarded to global leader in shore power technology, Powercon, with initial work to prepare the site set to begin by the end of 2024.

The move puts Sydney on par with other global cities adopting this technology, such as in Europe, where shoreside electricity will be mandatory at all main ports from 2030. With critical equipment in high demand, the White Bay Cruise Terminal Shore Power project is targeted for completion by late 2026.

Once operational in 2026, it will be mandatory for any ship that docks at White Bay Cruise Terminal that is shore power enabled to use available shore power. The vast majority of ships that use White Bay are already shore power enabled.

Port Authority will determine the best mechanism to implement the shore power mandate, likely to be through contract obligations with its cruise industry partners.

Both NSW and Federal Labor announced their support for shore power in 2019. The former NSW Liberal Government promised to deliver it in 2022 and said it would be ready by 2024 but failed to allocate funding to the project. The Labor Government is leading the rollout of Shore Power at other ports across Australia by supporting the development of Australian Standards that will inform future projects.

Federal Member for Sydney Tanya Plibersek said: “Five years ago, Labor promised we would deliver shore power for White Bay Cruise Terminal, and cleaner air for the community on the Balmain peninsula. Today that promise is being kept. “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.

“The community in Balmain has had to wait far too long for shore power to become a reality. They will remember that the former NSW Liberal Government claimed to support this project, but would not commit a single dollar of government funding.”

NSW Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said: “Today the contract to deliver shore power at White Bay Cruise Terminal has been signed, sealed, and delivered, ensuring less cruise ship pollution for generations to come. “This will be the first major shore power infrastructure in southern hemisphere and the carbon emissions reduction this project at White Bay will achieve is equivalent to taking 1100 cars off Sydney’s roads or planting 20,000 trees each year.

“The Minns Labor Government has done what the former government could never do. We’ve put pen to paper and begun the process to deliver cleaner air for the Balmain Peninsula and set White Bay Cruise Terminal up for a sustainable future.”

Port Authority NSW CEO Philip Holliday said: “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.”

Australian Cruise Association welcomes announcement

Australian Cruise Association (ACA) has welcomed the NSW Government’s move to begin construction of a shore power facility at White Bay.

ACA CEO Jill AbelAbel said: “This decision marks a significant step forward in progressing this important project that reinforces the commitment by NSW to assist the cruise sector in reaching the target of net zero emissions by 2050.

“We applaud the work being done by ports, cruise lines and our governments as they come together on these critical sustainability initiatives, and look forward to White Bay becoming a viable model for other ports around the country."

The ACA said giving ships the option to switch off their engines and connect to shore power would lower emissions, reduce noise and air pollution and improve the port experience for ship operators and nearby communities.

Data from CLIA Global show 46 per cent of cruise ships are currently equipped to connect to shore power, with this number to rise to 88 per cent over the next four years.