The Ventspils Freeport will build an onshore power supply connection point for ships at the ferry berth for 4 million euros, the Freeport Authority has announced.
The Ventspils Freeport Authority has signed a contract with the supplier consortium “RPI-ISP”, made up of RP Infra and Industry Service Partner, for the construction of the shore-side electrical connection point at the ferry terminal berth.
The project will include the installation of a shore power system with a total capacity of 4,000 kW, providing connection capability for Ro-Pax ships (combined cargo–passenger ferries).
This will be the first berth in Ventspils Port where ferries will be able to use a high-capacity shore power connection.
The total eligible project cost is 4.019 million euros, of which 3.416 million euros comes from the European Union Cohesion Fund. The project must be completed by the 31st of December 2029.
The Freeport Authority explains that ships calling at Ventspils Port currently use diesel-powered generators, which emit greenhouse gases and increase noise levels. Several berths are located near residential areas, making it essential to introduce climate-friendly and environmentally sustainable alternatives in port operations.
With the new shore power connection, ships will be able to use electricity from shore instead of onboard generators.
Berth No. 16 was built in 2000 and handles the mooring and servicing of ferries and other passenger vessels. It is currently used by Stena Line ferries operating the Ventspils–Nynäshamn (Sweden) route.
Stena Line’s Commercial Director for the North Baltic region, Liene Lēmane, notes that electrifying the ferry terminal in Ventspils is an important step toward sustainable maritime transport in the Baltic Sea. “This investment not only strengthens Ventspils as a key connection between Latvia and Sweden, but also shows that cooperation between ports, industry partners and the EU can accelerate progress toward a more sustainable future,” she emphasised.
Acting CEO of the Ventspils Freeport, Igors Udodovs, points out that regular shipping lines are among the port’s development priorities. He adds that shore-side electrification is a necessity for any modern port.
Currently, EU regulations — together with the FuelEU Maritime regulation — require that by 2030, TEN-T (Trans-European Transport Network) ports must provide shore-side electricity access to all regularly operating passenger and container ships.
The construction of the electrical connection point at Berth 16 is part of a wider project to upgrade the power supply infrastructure at Berths 14, 15 and 16. The project will be implemented in three stages. The first stage involves reconstructing Berth 16 as part of a larger project focused on modernizing the Ventspils Freeport Vessel Traffic Management Centre and electrifying port berths. A second activity within the same project includes upgrading the port’s vessel traffic management system, supplying and installing necessary monitoring, communication and navigation equipment, as well as renovating and constructing buildings required to house this equipment.
By cargo volume, Ventspils is the second largest port in Latvia.
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