The Trondheim Port Authority has secured a grid connection for the installation of shore power at its principal cruise berth, marking a significant step in the development of port infrastructure for visiting cruise vessels. Under current plans, the facility will be capable of supplying 4.9 megawatts of electrical power by 2028, with a further upgrade to 12 megawatts scheduled for completion in 2029.
Port officials have also indicated that an interim increase in available capacity to approximately 8 megawatts during the summer season may be possible if the local grid provider grants a temporary exemption.
The port’s marketing manager for cruise operations, Maria Kuhnl Undheim, indicated that the confirmed grid connection allows the authority to proceed with financial arrangements linked to support from the Norwegian energy agency Enova.
The shore-power installation will coincide with physical improvements to the cruise quay. The existing berth, currently measuring 96 metres in length, is scheduled to be extended to 150 metres as part of the same project, with detailed planning underway and completion targeted for January 1st, 2028.
Alongside these works, the port has obtained additional ramps intended to complement newly acquired gangways measuring 10 and 12 metres. Authorities are also assessing whether Yokohama-type fendering at the main quay should become standard equipment along the berth.
Further improvements are planned at Ila Quay 30, located within the industrial harbour area and used for cruise calls when multiple ships visit simultaneously. The port intends to enhance arrival and welcome facilities there to better accommodate passengers when the berth is in service.
Beyond infrastructure upgrades, destination management is also being addressed. The tourism organisation Visit Trondheim has begun working with the local municipality toward accreditation as a sustainable travel destination. The initiative includes planning measures intended to prevent overcrowding and ensure tourism development is managed responsibly across the region.
In support of these efforts, the port has adopted an internal guideline limiting daily cruise passenger numbers to 9,000, reflecting a broader strategy to balance visitor growth with environmental and community considerations.