Such infrastructure is expensive to set up, but once it is in place, ships can plug into electricity generated from land-side sources, allowing diesel engines and generators on board to be switched off while at port.
This could keep carbon emissions in check and the technology is becoming more relevant as countries look to do more to minimise climate change.
Port Otago chief executive Kevin Winders said new cruise ships were being designed with capability to plug into shore power and there was significant investment in the sector to retrofit existing ships.
"We’ll be looking to support that in the future," he said.
"It will be a significant project for us to embark on."
In the meantime, the New South Wales port authority plans to invest almost $A60 million ($NZ65.2m) to develop Sydney’s Bays Port precinct and the shore-power project is set to be switched on next year.
The development occurring so close to New Zealand was helpful and Port Otago staff were keen to witness its progress, Mr Winders said.
Shore-power possibilities were mentioned in a Dunedin City Council submission to the government approved this week about the future of tourism.
The submission highlighted the scale of work considered necessary to reduce transport emissions, as provisional modelling showed emissions from road transport would need to be cut by 39%, aviation emissions halved and overall marine emissions reduced 40% if Dunedin is to hit 2030 targets.
Cruise vessels were not yet included in Dunedin’s emissions footprint due to a lack of data, but they were considered a significant source of emissions.
Mr Winders said Port Otago aspired to run a "green" operation — 65% of containers at Port Chalmers arrived by rail and 35% by road. Development of an inland depot near Mosgiel has been mooted to get more product on to rail.
Fonterra confirmed it had been in early discussions with Port Otago about the idea.
