SPARK
Offshore charging for vessels at anchor
Running
The objective of the EU project SPARK is to develop and demonstrate a scalable offshore charging solution for stationary vessels. Co-funded by the EU Horizon Europe programme, the project Project SPARK contributes to the decarbonisation of the maritime sector.
Background
Ships waiting at anchor often keep their engines running to maintain onboard systems. This leads to significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions close to shore — an important but often overlooked source of pollution in the maritime sector.
Project SPARK responds to this challenge by developing a solution that enables vessels to access clean electricity while at anchor. The project is co-funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme with a total budget of €5 million and is led by Stillstrom by Maersk.
Project SPARK responds to this challenge by developing a solution that enables vessels to access clean electricity while at anchor. The project is co-funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme with a total budget of €5 million and is led by Stillstrom by Maersk.
Objective
The objective of Project SPARK is to develop and demonstrate a scalable offshore charging solution for stationary vessels. The project aims to:- Reduce emissions from idling ships
- Validate offshore power delivery in a real-world environment
- Assess commercial viability and regulatory pathways
- Enable large-scale adoption of offshore charging solutions globally
Contact
Jaap de Wilde
senior project manager | team leader
Approach
Project SPARK brings together eight partners from five countries, combining expertise across vessel operations, port infrastructure, research, simulation, and regulatory frameworks. The consortium will design, build and test an Offshore Power Zone at the Port of Skagen in Denmark, one of Northern Europe’s busiest anchorage hubs. The pilot will:- Deliver electricity from shore to vessels at anchor
- Enable a vessel to connect to an offshore charging point
- Demonstrate the concept in a live operational environment
- Generate insights for future scaling and replication
Consortium partners include: Stillstrom (project lead), Aalborg University, DNV, Maersk, MARIN, Port of Malta, Port of Skagen and University College London.
MArin training modules
Adequate training and support for crew and port staff are crucial for the successful implementation and operation of the solutions developed training programs should encompass system operations, maintenance procedures. Within the SPARK project, MARIN together with Stillstrom will deliver VR-based training modules, covering system operation, maintenance, safety, and emergency protocols. The modules are scenario-based, multilingual, and accessible remotely to support broad adoption. Training is validated by stakeholders and supports certification pathways.MARIN training modules
Adequate training and support for crew and port staff are crucial for the successful implementation and operation of the solutions developed training programs should encompass system operations, maintenance procedures. Within the SPARK project, MARIN together with Stillstrom will deliver VR-based training modules, covering system operation, maintenance, safety, and emergency protocols. The modules are scenario-based, multilingual, and accessible remotely to support broad adoption. Training is validated by stakeholders and supports certification pathways.Impact
By allowing vessels to switch off their engines while at anchor, Project SPARK contributes to the decarbonisation of the maritime sector. Expected impact includes:- Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
- Improved air quality in coastal and port areas
- Acceleration of offshore energy solutions
- Support for the global transition to cleaner shipping operations
The project will start in June 2026 and has a duration of 36 months, with the ambition to replicate and scale the solution worldwide.