Challenges for harbour vessel decarbonisation

Much of the industry’s emissions-reduction attention is focused on sustainable oceangoing ships, but the sector must also cut pollution in ports from harbour craft.

Regulators in North America, Europe and Singapore in particular have focused on the impact shipping pollution has on local populations and have introduced legislation to cut NOx, SOx, carbon monoxide and particulate matter emissions. In the last 10 years, their attention has turned to carbon.

The California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) new compliance requirements for the at-berth regulation came into effect this year, while the EU Fit for 55 was, according to the European Tugboat Association, one of the “most important challenges” it faces.

Meanwhile, the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore, where there are over 1,200 harbour craft, has put the pressure on owners and operators to transition from conventional propulsion to cleaner alternatives by 2030, with a complete phase out by 2050.

Despite these regulations, the vast majority of vessels in port use auxiliary engines burning gasoline or diesel to generate power at berth.

According to e1 Marine managing director Robert Schluter, this shows there are barriers to the adoption of alternative power and fuels in port for these vessels.

“For shipping’s decarbonisation battle, a concentrated focus on the first and last mile can offer a positive example to the rest of the industry,” he said.

Mr Schluter said the key barrier to decarbonising tugs and workboats in port is “untaxed marine fuel is still currently the cheaper option compared to electricity.”

“Port and terminal operators need additional and more accessible subsidies and incentives to implement new systems"

The lack of affordable capital to invest in modernising facilities is another contributor. According to analysis from Bank of America and universities in California, one of the biggest challenges associated with port electrification is the high upfront costs and lack of funding to support the installation of grid and charging infrastructure.

“It is apparent that electrifying tugs, workboats and other harbour craft, which are ideally suited for battery power due to their operating profiles, is being hampered due to the lack of charging infrastructure and grid support,” said Mr Schluter.

“Port and terminal operators need additional and more accessible subsidies and incentives to implement new systems and train employees in their use,” he continued. “Until then, electricity connections in many ports remain a stumbling block, with several ports lacking the infrastructure to connect vessels to the grid or having their connection compromised with close ties to nearby major cities with their substantial electricity demand spikes.”

He noted the lack of reliable, sustainable shoreside power impacts smaller vessels as much as large oceangoing ships.