Port of HaminaKotka has partnered with ABB to serve as the main contractor for a new shore power project at the Mussalo port, backed by a €3 million EU grant. The initiative will equip six container berths with IEC-compliant electrical connections to meet the EU’s mandatory 2030 FuelEU Maritime cold-ironing requirements.
Kotka, Finland | August 24, 2026 – Port of HaminaKotka Ltd has enlisted ABB as the main contractor to design, supply, and commission a comprehensive shore power system at the Port of Mussalo. The partnership marks a critical milestone in the port’s ongoing infrastructure upgrade to comply with tightening European Union environmental regulations.
Regulatory Drivers and EU Funding
The project is a strategic response to the EU’s FuelEU Maritime Regulation, which mandates that container and passenger ships over 5,000 gross tonnage must utilize onshore power supply (OPS) or equivalent zero-emission technologies while berthed at EU ports starting January 1, 2030.
To finance the transition, Port of HaminaKotka secured just over €3 million in EU funding from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Transport Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) program, launched to accelerate clean energy adoption across the trans-European transport network.
Project Scope and Technical Specifications
Under the agreement, ABB will serve as the primary contractor, managing the full lifecycle delivery of the onshore power infrastructure. Key elements of the Mussalo port rollout include:
- Berth Coverage: Equipping six container berths across the Mussalo B and C sections with high-capacity electrical connections.
- Global Standards: Ensuring all installations fully comply with international IEC shore-to-ship connection standards.
- Full-Turnkey Execution: Covering complete engineering design, heavy cabling, electrical grounding, hardware installation, and final system commissioning.
Leadership Perspectives
Eija Rossi, CEO of Port of HaminaKotka Ltd, highlighted the strategic importance of selecting an experienced technology partner:
“Our shore-side power project is progressing according to plan, and we are pleased to have ABB as the main contractor for the project. The company has strong global expertise in maritime electrification solutions, and we believe that this will create excellent conditions for successful cooperation and achieving the project’s goals.”
With ABB’s extensive international track record in port electrification, the collaboration positions HaminaKotka to meet upcoming 2030 compliance deadlines while cutting berth-side emissions for visiting container vessels.
About the Port of HaminaKotka
As a major Finnish multipurpose port, the Port of HaminaKotka serves as a vital logistics hub in Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea region. Supported by regular liner services, the port guarantees efficient maritime connections and rapid delivery times to destinations worldwide.
The port handles all major cargo categories, including containers, RoRo, LoLo, dry bulk, liquid bulk, gas, and complex project shipments, alongside a comprehensive suite of value-added logistics services. In addition, HaminaKotka provides modern infrastructure and versatile facilities capable of accommodating international cruise ships.
Source: Port of HaminaKotka