Box ships: the drive for shore power

Cavotec is a large player in both the container ships and container terminals markets. 

Cavotec vice president of product management Laurent Dupuis says, “For container ships, we invented the first AMPReel, or onboard cable management systems (CMS), now called PowerAMPReel and the first containerised solution called PowerFit.” 

In the past two decades, Cavotec has equipped more than 1,000 ships with its systems, of which nearly 70% are container ships.

It is now providing full turnkey services for retrofitting existing vessels for shore power. “In addition to providing the cable management equipment, we also provide, install or modify the rest of the system (cables, transformer, automation etc),” explains Mr Dupuis.

On the shore side, after supplying the first electrical socket box on the US West Coast in the late 2000s, Cavotec has equipped more than 40 container terminals with solutions from socket boxes (above or below ground), called PowerFeed, to mobile cable management systems on shore, called PowerExtend, giving more flexibility to the vessel position when at berth. 

Mr Dupuis says, “We are constantly developing new systems and we are looking forward to releasing a new product this year on the market that will bring even more flexibility to terminal operators.”

He says the main consideration for shore power is power availability. “One container ship might require up to 7.5 MVA when in port to supply electricity to its equipment and its cargo like the reefer containers. For a port, or even for a city, to provide this amount of power for a single ship, and sometimes for several ships at once, can be very challenging and requires collaboration with many different actors and funding.” 

At the interface level (the CMS and socket boxes on ship and on shore) Mr Dupuis says the main considerations are “Safety, reliability, compatibility with the infrastructure and efficiency of the operations”.

“Container terminals and the quays are particularly demanding environments to the material and the operators. Bringing a high-voltage connection in such a context can be difficult and dangerous, that’s why the international standard (IEC 80005-1) governing shore power installation addresses important safety and compatibility requirements. When it comes to reliable and efficient operations, ports and terminals can have very different expectations and constraints, so we make sure we are attentive to the specific needs to provide one of our bespoke solutions.”

In terms of the providing shore power, one of the challenges is installing it is a long process. “Between the first feasibility studies and the first vessel connection, such a project can take easily three to four years, and likely even more when a new connection to the grid is needed. Hopefully many ports and terminals across Europe started their feasibility studies a few years ago, so we are expecting to see more and more projects coming to fruition,” comments Mr Dupuis.  
But he warns, “This said, we need to accelerate as 2030 is around the corner and looking at the numbers shared by EOPSA at the end of 2022, we are far from having covered the 328 ports of Ten-T network. 
“Hopefully terminal operators and port authorities can count on an ecosystem of actors that is getting more organised and competent. The technical solutions exist, but we can still innovate. The remaining challenges are on the funding and financing fronts. We need more energy providers and financial institutions taking government funding to see the acceleration that we need.” 
Looking to the rest of the world - Americas, Asia Pacific - there is also much to be done. “Regulations similar to the European ones are being released but we also see some private and voluntary initiatives that prove shore power is not only good for the planet but is also good business.” 

Wabtec has several solutions for cable management systems providing shore power to vessels, including a cable reel in a container for container vessels, a cable reel on a quay for multiple purpose ships running on lower power, and junction boxes on a quay. Also available are cable crane dispensers for ferries. 

Newly developed products include a moveable junction box on a quay for container vessels with a cable and plug on board. 

Wabtec product marketing manager charging and power transfer Patryk Czerwinski comments, “We see a trend in cable dispensers with horizontal flexibility.”

Highlighting the benefits of Wabtec’s products in this area, he says these include easy cable handling, ergonomic and safe to use for port and vessel operators, a flexible connection with high berthing tolerances reducing the time needed to remoor the ship, and time for connection.

When it comes to container ships using shore power, there are several main considerations and challenges, Mr Czerwinski comments, particularly in terms of quality, reliability, lifetime, and production performance, “The quality of the shore power system depends significantly on its compatibility with various vessels. Different ships may require different types of electrical connections and voltages, making universal standards crucial. Ensuring a stable and high-quality power supply is essential.

Fluctuations or poor-quality power can damage ship equipment or disrupt operations. Therefore, every piece of the system needs to be high quality, including cables and the way it is handled.”

He adds the reliability of shore-based power systems is critical. This includes robust electrical infrastructure at the port capable of handling high-power demands without failures. “State-of-the-art cable management systems, such as from Wabtec Charging and Power Transfer, help significantly.”

Mr Czerwinski underlines the importance of shore power systems being designed for long-term use, considering factors such as corrosion from marine environments and wear from frequent connections and disconnections. “Regular maintenance is crucial to extend the lifetime of shore power systems. This includes inspecting and servicing electrical connections and infrastructure to prevent degradation.”

Also, maximising the efficiency of energy transfer from shore-to-ship reduces operational costs and environmental impact. “The speed at which ships can connect and disconnect from shore power impacts overall port efficiency,” says Mr Czerwinski.

“Additionally, transitioning to shore power also involves broader challenges like the initial high investment costs for infrastructure development, the need for regulatory frameworks and standards, and the requirement for co-ordination between ports and shipping companies to ensure system compatibility and efficiency.” 

Despite its increasing maturity, the development of shore power is still in the early stages and faces various challenges, says Mr Czerwinski.

These include adherence to standards. “The IEC 80005 standard, established in 2012, is crucial for the development of shore power. While this standard provides guidance, its ongoing development indicates there are aspects, particularly concerning voltage levels, that are not yet fully established. This evolving nature of standards shows the industry is still working towards optimal solutions.”

Mr Czerwinski also singles out the direction of development. “The maritime industry is moving in the right direction by increasingly focusing on shore power. This shift is essential for reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency in ports. However, as the technology and regulations are still developing, it is crucial to concentrate on creating flexible and adaptable systems that can evolve with these changes,” he says. 

Elsewhere, one of the primary challenges is every port has unique technical requirements and operational contexts. “This diversity necessitates tailored solutions for each port, considering factors such as local power grid capacities, port layouts and the types of vessels typically serviced,” he says. 

Other aspects that create challenges include “significant investment is required to equip ports with shore power facilities”, also global standardisation. “While the IEC 80005 provides a framework, there is still a need for more globally standardised practices and protocols to ensure compatibility and ease of use across different ports and vessels, especially for low voltage or hazardous locations,” Mr Czerwinski says. 

He sums up, “There is a need for ongoing development in standardisation, technology and infrastructure, along with a continued focus on creating customised solutions for individual ports. With the right direction and support, shore power can become a standard feature in ports worldwide, contributing significantly to more sustainable maritime operations.”

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