By Mary Ward
Cruise ships berthing in Sydney’s inner west will be required to run on renewable electricity while in port, following community concerns about fossil fuel pollution from the huge liners’ engines.
The state government has awarded a $20 million contract to Danish company Powercon to install “shore power” technology at White Bay Cruise Terminal to be used on the 70-odd days of the year a cruise ship is berthed in its port.
NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen and federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek at White Bay Cruise Terminal. Credit: Edwina Pickles
Traditionally, cruise ships have needed to run polluting diesel engines while docked to maintain power onboard, but shore power technology allows ships to connect to an electricity supply on land.
The former Coalition government had promised to deliver the White Bay project by the end of this year, but it did not provide funding.
NSW Labor backed the project at the 2019 election, with the support of the party’s state and federal branches. But Premier Chris Minns confirmed to parliament in August that the 2024 deadline would be missed due to supply chain issues caused by demand for the technology in the European Union, where larger ports must offer onshore power to ships by 2030.
Installation of shore power equipment at White Bay is now expected to be completed by late 2026. The equipment, which will run on renewables, will be the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
The Disney Wonder cruise ship docked at White Bay last October. Credit: Rhett Wyman
The electric power mandate at White Bay will only apply to ships capable of using shore power, and will be enforced through the Port Authority’s individual contracts with cruise operators.
Most ships currently using White Bay can already use onshore power, and their number is increasing each year due to the new European rules.
NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen said the project would provide a reduction in emissions equivalent to taking 1100 cars off Sydney’s roads or planting 20,000 trees.
“Today, the contract to deliver shore power at White Bay Cruise Terminal has been signed, sealed, and delivered, ensuring less cruise ship pollution for generations to come,” she said.
Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said the Balmain community had waited “far too long” for the project, and criticised the former state government for not providing funding.
Haylen’s Coalition predecessor, David Elliott, said in 2022 that NSW’s Port Authority was exploring opportunities to implement the technology at other docks in future, including the Overseas Passenger Terminal. However, the current plan only includes White Bay.
Pollution complaints
The White Bay Cruise Terminal has faced decades of ire from local community groups in Balmain and Rozelle.
Councillors from Inner West Council and the former Leichhardt Council have also complained about the impact of noise and pollution on residents since the terminal opened in 2013.
Following a community campaign, legislation was passed in 2015, requiring all cruise ships docking at White Bay to use low-sulphur fuel.
Summer cruise season began on Thursday, with the arrival of the Diamond Princess at the Overseas Passenger Terminal. Carnival Cruises liner Pacific Adventure berthed at White Bay on Friday, and the ship, which regularly uses the port, is fitted with shore power technology.
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