In the presence of Philippe Tabarot, Minister for Transport, the Port of Marseille Fos is today showcasing its facilities capable of accommodating three large cruise ships simultaneously – an outstanding feat of technical prowess in Europe.
Following a testing phase that began in late 2025, Marseille Fos will, by 2026, be one of the very first ports in Europe and the Mediterranean capable of delivering such performance, with total electrical capacity reaching 108 MW. Rolled out as part of the of the “Onshore Power Supply for Ships” (Connexion Électrique des Navires À Quai – CENAQ) – “Smoke-Free Port Call” initiative, this major technical breakthrough now enables the simultaneous provision of 60 Hz connections for up to three large cruise ships, each with energy requirements of up to 16 MW – equivalent to the consumption of a town of 13,000 inhabitants – thereby allowing them to turn off their combustion engines for the entire duration of their port call.
Thanks to photovoltaic power stations installed on several port sheds and warehouses, and the French electricity distribution system operator ENEDIS, the electricity supplied by the Port of Marseille Fos is 100% renewable.
The “Onshore Power Supply for Ships – Smoke-Free Port Call” initiative has established the Port as a pioneer, four years ahead of the regulatory requirements
Back in 2017, the Port of Marseille Fos was the first French port to offer 50 Hz high-voltage connections for ferries serving Corsica. This system was subsequently extended to international routes serving the Maghreb, before reaching a new decisive milestone in spring 2026 with simultaneous connections for three large cruise ships. This breakthrough puts Marseille Fos four years ahead of European regulations, which require ports to be equipped with shore-side electricity provision for at least 90% of port calls by passenger and container ships by 2030.
The provision of shore-side electrical connections for cruise ships meets a strong demand from the local community, including residents, elected representatives, local authorities and institutional partners, as well as shipowners, who are committed to working alongside the Port to offer ever-cleaner port calls, improving local air quality on a lasting basis and tackling global warming.
In 2024, a study carried out by Pôle Mer Méditerranée and the Interprofessional Technical Centre for Air Pollution Studies (CITEPA) demonstrated that the electrification of quays will contribute to reductions in ship emissions of sulphur dioxide (-80%), fine particles (-75%) and nitrogen oxides (-60%) between 2022 and 2035 in Marseille and Fos-sur-Mer. The full study: https://www.marseille- port.fr/actualites/resultat-de-letude-sur-limpact-du-branchement-electrique-des-navires-quai.
A major technical and industrial challenge
The electrical connection of cruise ships is one of the most complex aspects of the “Onshore Power Supply for Ships – Smoke-Free Port Call” scheme. It required more than two years of work, the upgrading of the port’s electrical network, the creation of a 40 MW ENEDIS substation and the installation of frequency converters to adapt the European power supply (50 Hz) to ship standards (60 Hz), as well as the roll-out of mobile connection systems specifically designed for these ships.
Connecting ships to the quay is a requirement and a priority for the government in the maritime sector. As such, the Port has committed nearly €200 million in investment in the Eastern Docks, with over 50% of this funded through a partnership involving all the region’s institutional stakeholders. The driving role of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, with its ambitious public policy and decisive financial contribution, the support of the Bouches-du-Rhône department and the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis, and the contribution and commitment of the City of Marseille have enabled three ships to be connected to the quay for the first time in the Mediterranean.
90% of the electrical materials and equipment used were sourced from French industry. The remainder was manufactured in Europe. The GPMM’s technical partners, ENEDIS, the companies in partnership with Bouygues Energie and the engineering consultancy Artélia rose to the challenge and all played their part in this outstanding achievement.
“Providing shore-side electrical connections for cruise ships is a genuine feat of technical prowess, made possible by the expertise and commitment of the teams at the Port of Marseille Fos. In passing this new milestone, the Port has confirmed its position as a pioneer in shore-side electrification, always staying one step ahead of the regulations. I would like to pay tribute to all the institutional partners and the companies that embraced this initiative and supported this groundbreaking project. This major investment is essential for the region; it enables us to reconcile the port’s appeal, environmental performanceandsustainable improvementsinairquality.”Christophe Castaner, President of the Port of Marseille Fos Supervisory Board.
“In the wake of the Prime Minister’s announcements to accelerate the electrification of our country, today’sinaugurationattheGrandPortMaritimedeMarseilleofthisshorepowerconnectionforcruise ships at berth demonstrates the importance of relying more heavily on our domestic electricity generation: to improve residents’ quality of life, toreduce the carbon footprint of maritime transport, andto strengthen our sovereignty. Thismajor project, in which the State is investing over €50 million, ispartoftheambitionsetoutinthenewCharterforSustainableCruisesintheMediterranean,whichI signed in Nice in June 2025 to support more sustainable tourism.” Philippe Tabarot, Minister for Transport
“Theport is our historyandour future!To protect thehealthofMarseille’s residents, create a smoke- freeportandpromotemoresustainabletourism,weareconnectingcruiseshipstothequayside.Afirst intheMediterranean.”Renaud Muselier, President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region, Deputy President of Régions de France.
“Take action, transform, accelerate: the Bouches-du-Rhône Department is ready to lead the way. Our priorityisclear:greenenergy.Toimproveairquality,tackleclimatechangeandachievegreaterenergy independence. Back in 2018, we made a bold move: investing €9 million to electrify the quays at the portofMarseille-Fos.Apractical,usefulandeffectivechoice.Andwe’regoingfurther:energy-efficient renovations, soft mobility, sustainable solutions for the daily lives of the people of Provence. A clear direction, concrete actions, tangible results. The Department stands and will continue to stand alongside those who innovate and build the future.” Martine Vassal, President of the Bouches-du- Rhône Departmental Council, First President of Départements de France.
“With the tourist season about to begin, we can only welcome this major step forward, which we hope will be followed by others. The metropolitan authority will, of course, support the second phase of this ambitious programme by co-funding the electrification of the freight sector and ship repair facilities.” Nicolas Isnard, President of the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolitan Authority
“Marseille is a Mediterranean capital that has developed through its connection to the sea and thanks to its status as a major Mediterranean port. Today, Marseille has become a must-visit tourist destination with a global reputation, enabling the local economy to benefit from a growing dynamism. However, the City of Marseille attaches great importance to the need for tourism that respects the environment and local biodiversity, as well as air quality and the quality of life of its residents. “We are delighted that Marseille can once again demonstrate its pioneering spirit by moving towards a cleaner and more sustainable form of tourism with these new facilities in its port.” Benoît Payan, Mayor of Marseille.
Shore-side electrical connection for ships has been supported financially by the European Union, the French State, the Sud Region, the Bouches-du-Rhône Department, the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis and the City of Marseille.
ABOUT THE PORT OF MARSEILLE FOS
A major player in international trade, the Port of Marseille Fos welcomes nearly 10,000 ships and 4 million passengers every year, handles 74 million tonnes of cargo and manages 10,400 hectares of land in pursuit of environmental excellence.
Strategically located on the shores of the Mediterranean and at the mouth of the River Rhône, it is the only port in this region connected to a major inland waterway and is a natural gateway to Europe. It serves 500 ports worldwide in nearly 160 countries. The Port of Marseille Fos provides sites and infrastructure tailored to welcome shipping, logistics and industrial activities. It is capable of accommodating a wide range of activities, from imports to exports of all types of goods (liquid bulk, containers, ores, food products, etc.). It also stands out for its three million square metres of logistics platforms hosting international operators. Industrial activities such as refining, steelmaking, the chemical industry and ship repair – featuring “Forme 10”, the world’s third-largest dry dock – illustrate the diversity of its port ecosystem. Committed to environmental excellence, the Port of Marseille Fos focuses on pursuing sustainable and responsible economic growth. It is reducing the impact of maritime activities on air quality through initiatives such as shore-side electrical connections for ships and LNG bunkering. Visit: www.marseille-port.fr to find out more.
Press contact
Florence Peltier
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