As the demand for reliable shore power increases with the growth of electrified vessels in the maritime industry, ports face the challenge of expanding infrastructure while reducing emissions. The European Union's mandate for container and passenger ships over 5,000 gt to connect to shore power by 2030 adds urgency to this issue. While grid-based shore power is being rolled out in many ports, the scalability to meet growing energy demands remains a significant challenge, especially for large passenger vessels like cruise ships. Alternative power sources like methanol-to-hydrogen reforming are seen as a viable solution. This technology allows ports to generate fuel-cell-grade hydrogen on-site, reducing emissions without overburdening the grid. By offering dual deployment options for both shore power systems and onboard vessels, methanol-to-hydrogen reforming proves to be a practical and near-term solution. It eliminates a large percentage of regulated pollutants and reduces greenhouse gas emissions significantly, benefiting air quality in busy ports. By embracing such alternative power sources, ports can alleviate grid demand and prioritize high-capacity shore power for vessels with the greatest needs. However, for these solutions to gain traction, policy changes are essential to support flexible and scalable options for smaller vessels. A technology-neutral approach could accelerate the deployment of sustainable shore power solutions, aiding ports and operators in meeting decarbonisation targets efficiently as the industry moves towards a more diversified approach to shore power.