Shore-to-Ship Power Market Set to Double by 2035, Driven by Green Port Mandates and Maritime Electrification

## Shore-to-Ship Power Market Set to Double by 2035 The global shore-to-ship power supply market is on a strong growth trajectory, projected to expand from USD 1.2 billion in 2025 to USD 2.3 billion by 2035, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% over the forecast period. The findings, published by Future Market Insights (FMI), underscore the accelerating momentum behind cold ironing infrastructure as the maritime sector confronts mounting pressure to reduce port-side emissions. Shore-to-ship power — also known as cold ironing or alternative maritime power (AMP) — allows vessels at berth to shut down their auxiliary engines and connect to the local electricity grid, eliminating exhaust emissions in port. The technology is increasingly viewed as a critical tool in the industry's decarbonisation toolkit, particularly as vessels spend significant time at anchor or alongside. ### Regulatory Pressure Fuelling Investment According to FMI, rising maritime emission standards are among the primary drivers accelerating adoption. The International Maritime Organization's (IMO) increasingly stringent greenhouse gas reduction targets, combined with regional mandates such as the European Union's FuelEU Maritime regulation and shore-side electricity requirements under the EU's Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), are compelling port authorities and terminal operators to invest in onshore power supply (OPS) infrastructure at pace. Major port hubs in Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific are already expanding cold ironing capacity, with cruise terminals and container ports leading deployment. The cruise sector, in particular, faces significant scrutiny over air quality in densely populated port cities, making shore power connectivity a reputational as well as regulatory priority. ### Green Port Development as a Competitive Differentiator Beyond compliance, the report highlights that green port certification and sustainability credentials are becoming competitive differentiators as shipping lines factor environmental performance into port selection decisions. Ports investing in OPS infrastructure are positioning themselves to attract next-generation vessels designed with shore power connectivity as standard. The electrification of newbuild tonnage — including battery-hybrid ferries, LNG-electric cruise ships, and zero-emission short-sea vessels — is expected to further stimulate demand for compatible shore-side infrastructure throughout the forecast period. ### Market Outlook With global port infrastructure investment cycles typically spanning decades, industry analysts note that decisions made in the near term will shape emissions performance well into the 2040s. The FMI data suggests that both public funding mechanisms and private capital are increasingly flowing into OPS projects, supported by green financing frameworks and government port decarbonisation grants across key maritime nations. As the energy transition reshapes port operations globally, the shore-to-ship power market represents one of the clearest near-term pathways for measurable emissions reduction at the port-vessel interface.