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Shore power

Shore power enables vessels to connect to the electricity grid while at berth. Also known as cold ironing, onshore power supply (OPS).

ElectrificationMarine shippingPort/terminal

Introduction

Shore power, also known as cold ironing or onshore power supply, enables vessels to connect to the electricity grid while at berth. This allows ships to switch off their onboard power generators, reducing emissions, noise, and fuel consumption. Shore power is available for both sea shipping and inland shipping, although there are differences in the implementation. Its applicability in inland ports varies by location, as short berth times limit shore power use.

Value proposition

  • Reduces air pollution, CO₂ emissions, noise, vibrations, and nitrogen deposition

    by allowing ships to switch off onboard generators while at berth

  • Improves living conditions for crew members and nearby communities

    while reducing environmental impacts on surrounding nature areas

  • More cost efficient

  • Improves energy efficiency

    as onboard generators typically operate less efficiently at berth than during normal sailing conditions

  • Expected to become more cost efficient

    as fuel costs are expected to rise over time

  • European regulations require member states to implement shore power in ports

    and shipping lines to install onboard equipment for shore power connection

While at berth, ships use onboard power (often MGO marine gasoline) generators for essential operations, causing air pollution, noise, CO₂ emissions, vibrations and nitrogen deposition that affect people on board, nearby communities and nature areas. In addition, generators typically operate less efficiently at berth than during normal sailing conditions, resulting in relatively higher emissions per unit of energy produced. Shore power allows vessels to connect to the electricity grid and switch off their engines, reducing the previously mentioned negative effects. It also reduces generator running hours, leading to lower fuel and lubricant consumption, reduced maintenance needs, and lower equipment wear and depreciation. Additionally, fuel costs are expected to increase over time, making shore power more cost efficient. European regulations require member states to implement shore power in ports and shipping lines to install on-board equipment for shore power connection.

Port applicability

Shore power is, from a technical perspective, applicable to all ports, meaning both seaports and inland ports. In inland shipping it is also applicable for overnight berths.

Groups of innovations

  • Fixed shore power

    The most common form of shore power is fixed, built into quay walls and jetties.

  • Mobile shore power

    There are also mobile shore power solutions, for example a large moveable battery-container or fueled by hydrogen, LNG, etc. These may be particularly attractive for smaller ports and inland ports as the fixed shore power is expensive and requires a high usage for a viable business case. These mobile solutions can be placed either at the quay or on the vessel. Within the MAGPIE project a mobile battery solution on board of a marine vessel is developed. On the other hand, transporting the batteries to the needed locations can also be expensive and operationally complex. In addition, there are pilot projects exploring shore power via buoys and dolphins, although these are still at an early stage of development.

    MAGPIE Shore power peak shaving

Impact

Impact level per aspect
ImpactLevelRemark
GHG emissionsVery large impact
By using electricity instead of energy from onboard generators, GHG and other pollutant emissions at berth are considerably reduced. The extent of emission reductions across the value chain depends on how the electricity is generated.
Air pollutantsMedium impact
Shore power improves air quality by reducing the emission of harmful gases and odors, thereby enhancing the overall livability and experience for nearby residents as well as for the people living on inland vessels. The extent of emission reductions across the value chain depends on the choice of feedstock for the electricity. Nitrogen oxides and ammonia in the air eventually settle on the ground, where it is absorbed by plants or the ground water.
NoiseLarge impact
Onboard power generators produce continuous noise, which is shut down.
VibrationsLarge impact
Onboard power generators produce continuous vibrations, which is shut down.
Lifespan of equipmentLimited impact
Shore power reduces generator running hours extending its lifespan, lowering maintenance costs.
OperationsNegative impact
Connecting to shore power is an extra procedure, which may cause berthing to take more time.

Barriers and enablers

Enablers

  • Standards & RegulationEnabler

    The existence and maturity of technical standards for shore power vary by segment. Better alignment and sharing of standards between ports will improve interoperability and ease of use. This reduces the need for vessels to adapt to differing technical systems across ports.

  • Standards & RegulationEnabler

    Regulation such as AFIR and FuelEU expand the shore power obligation for maritime vessels in Europe. For barge there is not yet European legislation. Additional legislation differs per region.

Barriers

  • InfrastructureBarrier

    • Grid congestion • Insufficient power supply • Misalignment between shore power and onboard connection points Applicable only to inland shipping: • Mismatches between quay and vessel heights • Berth configurations, such as multiple vessels moored alongside each other, can complicate connections, sometimes requiring cables to be routed over other ships

  • EconomicBarrier

    Substantial investment costs for vessels and berth owners and high electricity costs. Depending on the price of electricity and fuel, it may not be an attractive business case.

  • Standards & RegulationBarrier

    The existence and maturity of technical standards for shore power vary by segment. Better alignment and sharing of standards between ports will improve interoperability and ease of use. This reduces the need for vessels to adapt to differing technical systems across ports.

  • Standards & RegulationBarrier

    In inland shipping, misalignment between different regulatory frameworks, such as safety regulations for vessels transporting hazardous cargo (e.g. ADN 2025) and shore power requirements, which are not yet fully coordinated and can create conflicting compliance requirements.

  • Standards & RegulationBarrier

    Regulation such as AFIR and FuelEU expand the shore power obligation for maritime vessels in Europe. For barge there is not yet European legislation. Additional legislation differs per region.

How to implement?

  1. Step 1

    Feasibility assessment & business case analysis

    Berth owner

  2. Step 2

    Stakeholder engagement & financing

    Berth owner

  3. Step 3

    Technical design of berth to fit shore power

    Berth owner

  4. Step 4

    Acquiring permits

    Berth owner

  5. Step 5

    Infrastructure development

    Berth owner

  6. Step 6

    Purchasing/convert vessels to fit shore power

    Vessel owner

  7. Step 7

    Operation

    Berth owner & vessel owner

Timeline

The arrow below represents the expected development of the TRL of shore power.
* Technology readiness level

What should a port do in the next 3 years?

This depends on the ownership of the berth. If the port authority owns the berth, it has to assess whether the infrastructure already in place is suitable for shore power and adjust where necessary. If it does not own the berths, the port authority needs to assess which terminals are obligated to implement shore power by 2030 under AFIR. These terminals have to be stimulated to start implementation in the short term. Berths without an obligation can be informed on the possibilities, implementation process and business case.

Investment overview

Shore power requires significant CAPEX investments in port infrastructure, including cable routes, grid connections, transformers, quay-side systems, and the development of a digital platform for users (e.g. to manage transactions and communication). OPEX primarily consists of operating the digital platform, as well as maintenance, electricity and service costs. For vessel owners, CAPEX mainly involves retrofitting ships to enable shore power connections, while OPEX includes electricity costs on a pay-per-use basis.

Stakeholder overview

Below is an overview of the required involved stakeholders. *The role of the port authority depends on the ownership of the port infrastructure (e.g. terminals/berths, electricity)
Light stakeholder are essential, dark stakeholders are enabling

Knowledge base/ References