Skip to main content
Back to top
Image
Policy recommendation plan SPIES

SPIES finalises policy advisory plan for shore-based power facilities

Image
Policy recommendation plan SPIES
27/06/2025
2 minutes

SPIES has completed its policy advisory plan for the roll-out of shore-based power facilities for inland and coastal shipping in the North Sea region.

For 18 months, the SPIES partners worked intensively together on a substantiated recommendation plan that supports governments, ports and other parties involved in accelerating shore-based power development.

Central input for this plan was obtained through a broad survey of relevant stakeholders and players within the shore-based power domain. Their insights and experiences formed the basis for in-depth working group discussions, expert meetings and interviews.

The result is a policy-oriented document that offers concrete tools for a coordinated and future-proof shore-based power strategy in the North Sea region.

The following clusters were demarcated: 

  • Raise awareness of AFIR obligations 
  • Adjust AFIR obligations with minimum length of stay. 
  • Establish an independent European body for standardisation and management  
  • Develop clear standards, especially for smaller marine vessels, with modern safety technologies 
  • Expand and standardize payment options with apps and QR codes. 
  • Invest in infrastructure tailored to ship type, length of stay and port situation, with smart grid solutions. 
  • Ensure reliability through EU-wide Service Level Agreements (SLAs). 
  • Ensure full interoperability so that every ship can connect anywhere. 
  • Show real-time info about availability and malfunctions on navigation maps and platforms. 
  • Protect data with uniform models, secure APIs and security by design. 
  • Introduce EU-wide tax exemptions and develop transparent pricing models. 
  • Drive innovation with integration into broader charging concepts, battery storage and mobile shore power solutions. 
  • Start targeted campaigns against prejudice and raise awareness of energy consumption. 
  • Offer priority and accessible financial support, including simplified AFIF schemes. 
  • Promote collaboration with a central, GDPR-compliant ship register for secure data access. 

 

Interested in our policy advisory report?  You can download the report here.  http://www.interregnorthsea.eu/sites/default/files/2025-06/Policy recommendation plan SPIES_EN_0.pdf