CENAQ (Connexion Electrique des Navires A Quai / Onshore Power Supply) addresses the emergency to reduce air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and noise generated by ships at berth. Before EU’s stricter environmental regulations, Marseille Fos took early action to become a pioneer of OPS solutions in the Mediterranean.
CENAQ delivers zero-emission port calls by enabling vessels to shut down auxiliary engines and connect to 100% renewable and low-carbon onshore electricity. The project targets all vessel types (passenger ferries, cruise, Ro-Ro, container ships, repair vessels) and supports compliance with EU AFIR regulations ahead of 2030.
Since 2017, the port has invested €81M and is going to invest another €88 M by 2028 (€169 M in total) to install OPS at ferry and cruise terminals, container quays and repair docks. It is the first French port to install high-voltage OPS, and by 2028, will offer 150 MW connection capacity (ten times the 2016 baseline). CENAQ integrates solar power (18 MWp by 2028) and a smart grid for optimized energy flow. Impact results from the Pôle Mer Méditerranée study confirm the reductions between 2022-2035: -80% SO₂; -75% PM; -60% NOₓ; -47% CO₂.
CENAQ exemplifies innovation (high-voltage multi-terminal OPS, 50–60 Hz conversion, smart grid integration), leadership (first mover in France, presidential backing), and strong collaboration (EU, French state, local & regional authorities, shipowners, Enedis). It directly supports four WPSP themes: Climate & Energy; Infrastructure; Environmental Care; Health, Safety & Security. It significantly contributes to UN SDGs 7, 9, 11, 13, and 17 through decarbonization, energy innovation, and sustainable urban integration.
With its high-voltage OPS coverage across multiple terminals and its €169M investment by 2028, Marseille Fos ranks among the leading European ports for OPS deployment and a reference in scalable decarbonization infrastructure globally.