Shore power market seen reaching $7.33 billion by 2035

The global shore power market is projected to more than double by 2035 as ports face tighter emissions rules and accelerate electrification projects. Europe leads the market now, while Asia-Pacific is growing fastest as ports add infrastructure for cleaner ship berthing.

Why it matters: - Shore power lets ships plug into shore-side electricity while docked, cutting auxiliary engine use, local air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. - The market’s projected rise to USD 7.33 billion by 2035 points to broader port electrification spending across container, cruise and ferry hubs. - Transformers are advancing at a 13.5% CAGR as mega-container vessels and cruise ships require higher voltage connections.

What happened: - The shore power market was estimated at USD 2.56 billion in 2025. - The market is projected to grow from USD 2.84 billion in 2026 to USD 7.33 billion by 2035. - That forecast implies an 11.1% compound annual growth rate from 2026 to 2035. - The report was published July 29, 2026. - The research covers shore power, also called cold ironing or alternative maritime power.

The details: - Shore power systems supply electricity from the port grid to ships at berth for lighting, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, cargo handling and crew accommodations. - Typical infrastructure includes frequency converters, transformers, switchgear, cable management systems and connection equipment. - Environmental regulation is a primary growth driver, including IMO sulfur cap rules and emissions control area requirements. - EU rules, including FuelEU Maritime and the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, require shore power availability in certain ports. - Port authorities are also using grants, subsidies and lower port fees to encourage adoption. - The market is segmented into shore-side equipment and ship-side equipment. - Shore-side equipment is the larger segment because ports are making the biggest infrastructure investments. - Plug-in connection systems currently dominate the connection-type market because they are simpler and widely adopted. - Automated connection systems are gaining traction in large, high-traffic ports seeking faster turnaround. - High-power systems above 10 MW dominate because large vessels need substantial electricity while docked. - Container ships are the largest application segment. - Cruise ships are a high-growth segment because of environmental scrutiny at destinations and passenger demand for cleaner operations. - Europe is the largest regional market. - Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region. - North America is seeing strong investment in port electrification, led by the United States. - California ports such as Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland have been early adopters. - China leads Asia-Pacific with shore power investments at ports including Shanghai, Shenzhen and Ningbo-Zhoushan. - Singapore is also investing in shore power infrastructure. - Key companies in the market include Siemens AG, ABB Ltd., Wärtsilä Corporation, Schneider Electric SE and Cavotec SA.

Between the lines: - The market is moving from optional sustainability projects to regulated infrastructure as ports and ship operators respond to emissions rules. - Large-vessel electrification is pushing demand toward high-voltage, high-capacity systems and more automation. - Grid capacity and interoperability remain practical barriers, so port electrification is likely to advance unevenly by region. - The strongest near-term growth is likely to come from ports that pair shore power with renewable energy, smart-grid tools and terminal upgrades.

What's next: - The California Air Resources Board approved rules in November 2025 requiring all container, cruise and refrigerated vessels at California ports to use shore power by 2030. - Siemens Energy completed a shore power installation at the Port of Rotterdam in December 2025 that can supply 50 MW to multiple vessels at once. - ABB won a contract in October 2025 to equip Singapore’s new container terminals, with operations expected by 2028. - More ports are expected to add mandates, incentives and automated connection systems as vessel electrification expands. - The report is available as a sample here and for purchase here.

The bottom line: - Shore power is shifting from a niche port upgrade to a core decarbonization infrastructure market, with regulation and terminal electrification driving the next decade of growth.