By
Laura Hyde |
Earlier this month, Portsmouth International Port in the UK powered the first cross-Channel ferry sailing by shore power, when Brittany Ferries vessel Guillaume de Normandie travelled from the port to Caen in France. The significant milestone in comes just weeks before Portsmouth International Port hosts the 2026 Greenport Congress, which will focus on how to increase sustainability across port operations when it takes place from 7-9 October 2026.
Guillaume de Normandie, an LNG-electric hybrid ferry, connected to Portsmouth International Port’s £24.4 million shore power facility for two hours before its departure. The ferry left the UK south coast harbour using electric power before transitioning to hybrid LNG-electric propulsion systems for the remainder of the journey to France.
Port director Mike Sellers said it was a “huge moment, not only for us, but also for the UK ports industry as a whole, as we are now the country’s first port to offer multi-berth, multi-user shore power”.
The achievement will be explored further at Greenport Congress, with firsthand insights provided by some of the key players in the opening day session, titled ‘energy, electrification & net zero delivery in ports’ where Stephen Watkyns, technical director at Portsmouth International Port, will highlight the case. Also taking part in the opening session and showcasing real-world implementation of shore power systems, will be Luca Imperiali, global product manager at ABB; Peter Walbridge, project manager and civil engineer with AtkinsRealis; and Andrew Connolly, project director for the static wound plant portfolio team at the National Grid.
Find out more about Greenport Congress 2026 in our event preview.