Bringing onshore power players together

EOPSA’s main aim is to bring together a broad range of international and national experts from global companies, SMEs and relevant associations to facilitate adoption and installation of OPS along Europe’s sea, inland and leisure routes.

Having a stand at Seawork 2025 gave it the opportunity to both spread the word about OPS and network with the captive workboat audience. It also gave one of its members, an industrial connector manufacturer called Proconect, a chance to showcase its shore power connector for workboats.

“We’re at Seawork to bring parties together to demystify and accelerate the adoption of OPS. Workboats are increasingly part of the electrification mix in a port,” said Roland Teixeira, president of the European Onshore Power Supply Association (EOPSA).

“We want to work closer together with industry and gather and connect expertise from the ground up.” 

Better connected 

Day two of Seawork saw onshore power supply take to the stage with a lively discussion centred around bringing the industry together the industry together to connect, invest and decarbonise. 

The session was a follow-on from Maritime Journal’s ‘Onshore Power Supply – Connect, Invest, Decarbonise’ webinar held in March.

Teixeira moderated the session, which included presentations from Leo Hambro, commercial director Tidal Transit Limited, Lex Hanham, business development manager ABP,  Andy Hurley, director Marine Zero and Chris Poyner, head of shore power ABB.

Teixeira said the conference session was excellent with a keen interest coming from a full conference room and a distinct willingness to learn before taking the plunge. 

Some of the key topics discussed included electricity prices, subsidies and the offshore wind logistical supply chain. 

There were concerns raised about creating a level playing field across the board and the availability of technology for workboats, given that shore power has traditionally been a domain for cruise ships and larger vessels. 

The key takeaway: Successful electrification of ports depends on collaboration between power producers, electricity consumers and port authorities. 

For EOPSA, the session provided a chance listen to the workboat sector, make connections and then feedback action points to its members.

Date for the diary

If your business is shore power, either on the vessel on infrastructure front, you’ll be interested to know that this year’s GreenPort Congress is joining forces with Transport Malta, the Shore to Ship Conference, and EOPSA to give delegates access to both GreenPort and Shore to Ship sessions.

The aim is to give a comprehensive perspective on decarbonisation, energy transition and sustainable port operations. 

This year’s conference will take place from 15 to 17 October hosted by Transport Malta at Valletta Port, Malta.