Stockholm's cruise season pulls the plug with onshore power connection in port

Ports of Stockholm summarizes this year's cruise season with close to 200,000 visitors and several returning ships. As an important step in the sustainability work, Sweden's first onshore power connection for cruise ships was inaugurated during the summer. This further strengthens Stockholm's position as a sustainable premium destination.

On October 29, the cruise ship AIDAmar ends the season at Ports of Stockholm. During the season, which lasts from April to October, Stockholm has had a total of 119 cruise calls and welcomed 196,000 passengers. Among these calls, ten vessels visited Stockholm for the first time.

The shipping company AIDA Cruises tops the list with 32 visits. Together with the shipping companies TUI, Hapag Lloyd and Phoenix Reisen, which all target the German market, these players accounted for a total of 50 calls. Together, they contributed just over half of all cruise passengers arriving in Stockholm in 2024 – more than 100,000 visitors.

“It feels very good that we now have onshore power connection for cruise vessels in place. It is an important step in strengthening Stockholm's position as a sustainable premium destination for cruise traffic. We expect to be able to offer onshore power connections to about 50 percent of all cruise calls in 2025,” says Stefan Scheja, Marketing Manager Ferries and Cruises at Ports of Stockholm.

The onshore power supply, OPS, which was inaugurated during the season, allows cruise vessels to connect to electricity directly at berth, reducing air emissions and noise levels in the city.

Stockholm remains an attractive cruise destination, even during the winter months. Between December and March, eight calls are planned, where the Hanseatic Spirit from the shipping company Hapag Lloyd will, among other things, celebrate New Year in Stockholm.

This year, Stockholm also hosted the Cruise Europe network's annual conference, an important platform for showcasing the city to the industry's leading players.

*turnaround = passengers start and/or end their cruise in Stockholm

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