Is there a quiet question of postcode politics behind Sydney’s $20 million White Bay Cruise Terminal upgrade?
A project that’s been years in conversation, Sydney’s White Bay Cruise Terminal, is set to undergo a green transformation, with a cutting-edge shore power system enabling docked ships to power down their engines and plug into renewable electricity.
This upgrade is a Southern Hemisphere first for a cruise terminal. By 2026, cruise ships at White Bay will be able to run entirely on renewable shore power, significantly reducing CO2 emissions, noise, and air pollution.
The majority of ships that stop at White Bay are already shore power-enabled, which lines up with the world wide trend towards cleaner energy. In Europe, for example, all essential ports will have to use shoreside electricity by 2030, and the Carnival Corporation has already signed a letter of intent to comply.
A Port Authority of NSW spokesperson told Cruise Passenger, “The European Union has made shore power mandatory at cruise terminals across Europe, which means Port Authority faces a longer wait for critical electrical equipment that cannot be sourced in Australia.
“The awarding of the contract for this major package of works at White Bay Cruise Terminal is a significant milestone in the Bays Port Shore Power project, with work officially underway.
“Shore power is one way Port Authority is creating a port of the future that minimises impacts on our neighbours while ensuring the economic and logistical importance of the port is retained.”
It’s a win for sustainability, particularly for the local residents of Balmain and Rozelle with a promise of cleaner air, less noise and a huge reduction in harmful emissions. But it leaves one nagging question—why only White Bay?
Why not prioritise the Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT) in Sydney Harbour? The Port Authority spokesperson told Cruise Passenger: “Port Authority will continue to review its remaining assets to consider where Shore Power may be an appropriate solution.”
OPT, prominently located between the Bridge and the Opera House in circular quay, is by far the busier of the two terminals for foot traffic. The last statistics released by the government put visits to Circular Quay precinct every year at 50 million – and that was in 2018.
It handles the bulk of the city’s cruise traffic and offers tourists some of the most breathtaking views in the world. Yet, despite its prominence, we could find no plans for OPT to receive shore power, at least not in this round of upgrades.
For the greener good
There’s no doubt that the $60 million investment into White Bay’s shore power system is an important step for Sydney, positioning the city at the forefront of sustainable maritime operations.
Port Authority of NSW has estimated the upgrade will reduce up to 4,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
“Based on the number of cruise ships using shore power at White Bay Cruise Terminal, this is the equivalent to removing 1,100 passenger vehicles from Sydney’s roads each year,” the spokesperson said.
Once ships dock, they’ll be able to switch off their auxiliary engines—which usually burn diesel fuel—and rely entirely on the landside electricity supply. The system will also cut noise pollution by up to 10 decibels, a welcome relief for nearby postcodes to White Bay, who have been particularly vocal about the disruption caused by the terminal.
Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek told the press that Balmain residents had waited “far too long” for an answer to the noise and environment pollution from cruise ships docked in White Bay.
“This will be the first project of its kind in Australia, and it will be run on renewables,” Deputy Leader of the Labor Party Tanya Plibersek said. “Awarding the contract for the shore power equipment design, fabrication, supply, and installation marks a major milestone,” she added.
