ecological and energy transition, cruise : BREEZE: an European cooperation to accelerate port electrification

New stage in the onshore power supply: HAROPA PORT has joined forces with eight European partners as part of the BREEZE project (Berth Electricity for Zero Emission in Ports), with the ambitious aim of meeting the EU shore power requirements for ports and vessels by 2030.

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Véhicule CMS sur le terminal croisières du Havre, proche du paquebot AIDA - Enlarge image, modal window
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A structuring European initiative

Focused on the electrification of port quays, BREEZE is part of the second priority of INTERREG Europe programme, which encourages regional cooperation and the development of shared solutions in economic development, ecological transition and digital transition. 
BREEZE officially began on May 1st, 2025. It is led by the Region of Hamburg’s Ministry of Economics and Innovation and brings together eight partners:

  • HAROPA PORT,
  • Hamburg Port Authority (Germany),
  • the Port of Valencia (Spain),
  • the City of Rotterdam (Netherlands),
  • the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure of the Flanders Region (Belgium),
  • the Port of Koper-Capodistria (Slovenia),
  • the Azores Port Authority (Portugal),
  • and the Port Governance Agency of Serbia.

A collaborative and thematic approach

The initiative is based on close collaboration between its members, with notably two meetings per year organized around key topics, such as:

  • the progress made by ports in electrifying their quays,
  • the adequacy of the systems used to meet specific needs,
  • funding requirements for each port,
  • the economic viability of installations (cost, management, maintenance).

The first meeting took place on May 14 and 15, 2025 in Hamburg, marking the start of a strengthened partnership to reduce ship emissions during port calls.

HAROPA PORT, a committed player in the approach

The port's participation, supported by the Normandy region, is fully aligned with its environmental strategy. Already a signatory to a Memorandum of Understanding with the major ports of the Northern Range in 2021, HAROPA PORT is actively working to anticipate the 2030 European requirements:

  • the RENAQ project, dedicated to the electrifying the Le Havre’s cruise terminal isongoing,
  • a study is underway to electrify the quays of Port 2000 and the Quai des Amériques (North Terminals),
  • the “Borne&Eau” initiative, carried out with Voies navigables de France (VNF), will result in the installation of 96 water and power supply stations for freight vessels and 36 for river cruises.

With a budget of 1.9 million euros, 80% of which is co-funded by the European Commission, the BREEZE project will run until April 2028 for its “core phase”.