A cruise berth at the Port of Southampton was being upgraded with shore-power capability, allowing visiting cruise ships to switch off their diesel auxiliary generators while alongside and run from the grid instead. Marine-spec 11kV cable was required from a new shoreside substation to a dedicated connection unit at the berth.
Port operations remained live throughout — work coordinated around the cruise schedule and dockside HGV movements.
What the job involved
- 260m of 11kV marine-grade cable pulled through new duct from sub to berth.
- Two straight joints in pre-cast pits along the dockside route.
- Termination into the dockside cable management unit with full salt-resistance treatment.
- Galvanised steel armouring and additional mechanical protection at dockside positions.
- Commissioning testing handed over to port and shipping line representatives.
Key challenges
- Tidal dockside working — limited windows around high tide.
- Berth in active commercial use — works planned around vessel arrivals.
- Marine-spec cable handling required adapted drum equipment and protocols.
Outcome
- Shore-power capability commissioned ahead of cruise season.
- Tested live with a visiting vessel two weeks after handover.
- Port contractor invited us back for two further berth upgrades.
Shore power is an emerging trade in the UK and there aren't many cable contractors who've actually delivered it. These have — and now they've delivered it for us.
— Port Contractor Project Lead, Southampton, Hampshire
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