Government reveals why clean power project for White Bay cruise boats has been delayed
A promise to install new technology to slash air pollution from cruise boats docked in Sydney is set to miss a key deadline with the NSW Government blaming delays on new environmental standards imposed half a world away by the European Union.
Inner West
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A promise to install new technology to slash air pollution from cruise boats docked at White Bay in Sydney’s inner west is set to miss a key deadline with the NSW Government blaming delays on new environmental standards imposed half a world away by the European Union (EU).
Campaigns by residents in Balmain to have shore-to-ship power used by all cruise boats docked at White Bay, rather than using on-board diesel engines, are set to continue into 2025 after it was revealed the NSW Government will be unable to meet a commitment to have the technology installed this year.
Shore-to-ship power will enable cruise ships to plug into the electricity grid, thereby cutting their diesel generators when berthed at the terminal.
For more than a decade, both residents and Inner West Council have been pushing for the reduction in diesel generation to address concerns over idling ships sending diesel fumes over nearby homes.
In 2022, the former Coalition Government announced the White Bay Cruise Terminal would become the first Australian port to install shore‑to‑ship power as part of a $60 million project.
The current Labor government made an election commitment to see the project through, which came with a pledge to have the technology operational by the end of 2024.
Quizzed in parliament about whether the target could be met, Premier Chris Minns confirmed the deadline will be missed – partly due to new shore-to-ship power standards imposed by the EU.
He said the EU policy requiring cruise ships, particularly those docked in major Mediterranean ports, to have access to shore‑to‑ship power has caused supply chain issues for the delivery of the project in White Bay.
“Much of the supply chain is being redirected to ensure that those requirements in the European Union are prioritised (and) the fact is that there is now competition for the technology that needs to be rolled out at White Bay,” he said.
”For those who were in Greece or parts of the Mediterranean during the winter period would know that the cruise ship industry over there dwarfs ours.
“We are committed to it, we will do it in this term of office (but) we cannot meet the 2024 deadline.”
Balmain resident Giacomo Latella said he was disappointed the 2024 deadline would not be met, noting the community had been pushing for shore to ship standards for more than six years.
“It’s something the community has been asking for and the question is are they really trying hard enough,” he said.
“I can appreciate there are supply chain issues but we just need a commitment to have it completed.
“It’s not right because dirty fuel is just added pollution when it can be avoided.”
Other residents claim the diesel generation is causing noise, air pollution impacts and “health risks” including respiratory illness.
Community concerns have even resulted in some residents selling up and relocating from Balmain including former local Valerie Sundquis.
“We sold our home and moved because the stress of living near the terminal was just too much,” she said.
“Each time the boats came in, the smell of the diesel would hit you and we had to close all the windows and doors.
”We were essentially locked in our home and were living our lives around cruise ship schedules.”
A spokeswoman for the NSW Port Authority – which has been tasked with installing and supplying shore power at White Bay – did not provide details of when the project will be completed.
In a statement, the spokeswoman said the “Port Authority and the NSW Government remains committed to the delivery of shore power and our net zero goals and supporting the shipping and cruise industry achieving their sustainability targets”.
Carnival Cruises said it supported having ship-to-shore power available at White Bay.
“Pacific Adventure was modified specifically to fit under the Harbour Bridge to berth at White Bay and is ready to use shore power when it is available,” a spokeswoman said.
“Today roughly two-thirds of our global fleet can plug in to reduce greenhouse gas and other emissions and noise in port where connections to electric power are available.”
The new shore to ship power standards imposed by the EU have partly been prompted by growing frustrations over environmental issues and “over tourism” in ports such as Venice and Barcelona.
The supply of shore power at White Bay is estimated to achieve an annual reduction of up to 14,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, the equivalent to removing 4000 cars off road each year.
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