Onshore power supply offers potential to power change

With a stern decarbonisation mandate set in place by the 175 IMO member states, shipping is on a pathway to greener operations. While low carbon fuels are – understandably – seen as the most direct pathway to GHG fuels, technologies to make vessels more efficient by reducing fuel consumption (regardless of clean or dirty fuel) are also gaining traction. One option that is seeing increased global take up at sea and on land is shore-power, which is also referred to as cold ironing.

In a nutshell, shore power technology offers ship operators (with appropriate equipment installed) the opportunity to plug their vessels into charging stations when in port (which must be equipped with sympathetic technologies) and use electricity for ship operations. This means that vessels would not run their main engines at port, reducing both fuel use and also impact on the shore infrastructure and local populations via fewer vibrations and less noise. Were the ports in question able to source green electricity – perhaps from solar, hydro or wind, the equation becomes even more sustainable.

The drivers for adoption of this technology are clear: regulation, policy and market appetite. In early 2022, at the One Ocean Summit, Government ministers from 14 countries and 21 port authorities from around the world signed a Shore Power Declaration to make best efforts to deploy shore-side electricity supply by 2028, in particular for cruise and container vessels. Furthermore, the EU’s Fit for 55 policy plan to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, partially driven by a reduction of GHG emissions by at least 55% by 2030 (as compared to 1990 levels) – and is likely to instruct container and passenger ships to use on-shore power supply for all electricity needs while moored at the quayside in major EU ports as of 2030. It will also apply to the rest of EU ports as of 2035, if these ports have an on-shore power supply, making a very clear case for adoption of technologies such as shore power.

While numerous ports, from Vancouver and Los Angeles to Hamburg and Rotterdam have already invested in land based shore power infrastructure, investment in ship-board technologies is still gathering momentum. This hesitation may be due to a lack of information, funding for retrofitting or concern about impending obsolescence of chosen technology and standard. However, we believe that many of the obstacles responsible for hesitation by ship owners can be easily overcome through collaboration.

Easy wins

The benefits of shore power use by ships are multi-faceted, encompassing environmental stewardship, cost savings, noise reduction, and regulatory compliance. Moreover, the reduction in emissions achieved through shore power technology cannot be overstated. By curbing greenhouse gases, particulate matter, and harmful pollutants (including volatile organic compounds), this technology plays a crucial role in addressing climate change and improving air quality in port communities.

For shipping sectors that have largely fixed routes, such as the Ro-Ro, container and cruise fleets, the business case is obvious. Agreements can easily be drawn up between shipping lines and respective ports to ensure compatibility of ship and shore technologies, with the scale of vessels calling at specific ports really acting as a strength. This fixed routing would address the chicken-egg issue of investment and ensure that market demand and supply are relatively well balanced. But other sectors – such as tankers – will also benefit, particularly if operating in the global north, where an increasing number of ports will install land-based shore power connections.

It is worth remembering that operators with large fleets would be able to have significant input into the types of technologies selected for installation at ports that they call at regularly. Furthermore, they would have the opportunity to negotiate competitive pricing for the electricity and gather information about the true green credentials of any power used – which could help meet sustainability criteria set by charterers or by financiers that have made green loans.

Getting it right

Managing safety concerns in installation and operation is a major factor to be managed when investing in shore power. While there are potential risks associated with having shore power connections in close proximity to hazardous cargoes, particularly in industrial settings such as ports and terminals where ships are loading or unloading these cargoes – these can be mitigated using methods that we are already familiar with.

Ship operators must manage the risks of flammable, corrosive or explosive materials carried as cargo, which could cause a fire or explosion if they leak or come in contact with electrical equipment. Furthermore, some shore power connections involve high-voltage electrical systems that must be carefully managed as well as properly installed and maintained. Ship crews and ports must be properly trained to use the equipment, briefed as to actions that must be taken in case of an incident and prepared to coordinate an emergency response in case of an incident.

While this may sound worrying, we must remember that many of the steps to mitigate these risks are already in play in a maritime setting, where different cargoes and technologies are carefully handled by highly skilled staff every day – and complex technology is installed and used regularly. Shore power installations on land and on the ship must be properly designed with appropriate shielding and containment measures to prevent exposure to potential leaks or spills. Whenever possible, physical barriers or isolation measures should be implemented to separate electrical systems from hazardous materials and safety protocols must be developed and enforced to address both electrical safety and hazardous cargo handling.

Comprehensive emergency response plans must be set and routine inspections of both electrical systems and hazardous cargo areas must be carried out frequently. Ultimately, the key is to prioritise safety and conduct thorough risk assessments when designing, implementing, and operating shore power connections in areas with hazardous cargoes.

Compatibility is vital

Shipping’s role in global supply chains necessitates standardisation when it comes to shore power. A lack of assurance of compatibility, interoperability, and efficiency across different ports, vessels, and power systems, makes it unlikely that we will see consistent take-up of this advanced technology. This will inevitably result in a fragmented landscape where some ports and vessels will be compatible but others will not. Stakeholders in the shore power space will significantly benefit from a collaborative approach to achieving consensus on power supply, voltage levels, connector types, and communication protocols, allowing us to avoid pitfalls such as increased costs for both ports and shipping companies and operational challenges.

Our decision to join a technical group at the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in July 2023 demonstrates Yara Marine Technologies’ commitment to shaping much needed standards for shore power and its associated technologies. This has included contributing technical expertise, sharing insights based on practical experience, and collaborating with other industry experts to establish guidelines that enhance the interoperability, safety, and efficiency of shore power solutions.

IEC standards hold global significance and are widely recognized within the industry. By engaging with TC18x and IEC 80005-1/2/3, Yara Marine is supporting the work to ensure that these standards align with the latest technological advancements and industry needs. This commitment can help drive the adoption of standardised shore power practices across different ports, vessels, and regions, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly maritime sector.

While some variance is to be expected given that this technology is still seeing active innovation, we believe that it is in the industry’s interests to make technologies interoperable and efficient so that there are fewer hurdles in our collective path to sustainable operations. The installation of shore power technology on the global fleet represents a pivotal step forward in the maritime industry’s quest for environmental sustainability.