Finland – London short sea run inaugurated
NewsFinnlines is set to launch a new short sea freight service this month (Sept ’24) from Finland to Peel Ports London Medway and other destinations around Europe
Five Steps to Take Charge of Portside Pollution
The shipping industry is responsible for more than 2.5% of the world’s emissions. If the shipping sector were a country, it would be the sixth largest polluter in the world
But this can change. The technology exists today that can be retrofitted to existing ships to reduce harmful emissions. There is also leading-edge technology available to upgrade and reduce pollution at ports and terminals around the world.
And increasingly, ports and shipowners are seeing the benefits and necessity of reducing pollution levels and improving the environment for the communities they serve.
ShorePower from Cavotec is one of those technologies that, says the company, is capable of reducing emissions by more than 90% when ships are moored at berth.
For ports & terminals seeking to reduce their environmental footprint, here are five practical steps suggested by Cavotec.
1. Find the technology that matches your operations
Designing the most appropriate infrastructure requires an analysis of vessel and traffic flows throughout a port. Port owners need to analyse the regularity of shipping traffic; which vessels are ready for utilising shore power infrastructure; how much time vessels spend at berth; and which berths are the closest to highly populated areas. Those that are nearest population centres have the highest value in reducing noise and emissions.
There are also operational constraints to take into consideration. Ports need to consider the location of on-board connection points and onshore facilities. Space is also a consideration, especially for busy container terminals where cranes operate along the berths. There are also safety requirements to bear in mind, especially for public access points, where equipment needs to be secure and clear of hazards.
- Cavotec, has the technology and know-how to match the solution to a specific situation/requirement, making it possible to modernise existing port infrastructures with minimum disruption to day-to-day operations.
2. Optimise the electrical architecture
When designing the electric infrastructure for Shore Power, it is vital to understand the vessel’s expected power needs and the port’s electrical characteristics in order to design the optimum electrical architecture. This includes the frequency, power availability, and existing electrical distribution set-up.
- Cavotec’s Shore Power solutions are optimised for each specific port and follow international electrical shore connection standards for maximum safety and ship compatibility
3. Try to blend into the environment
Environmental pollution should not consider just emissions or noise levels. The aesthetics and visual appearance and impact of the equipment on their surrounding are equally important, especially where it interacts with passengers and members of the public. It is preferable that the technology be aesthetically pleasing, blending in with the environment as much as possible.
- Cavotec, has put as much emphasis on the design and look of its shore power solutions as on the engineering itself.
4. Adopt a holistic approach for a ’fit-for-the-future’ infrastructure
A port sustainability roadmap should also consider other technologies that could give both existing and new terminals a smaller environmental footprint.
This can include integrated automated mooring as well as shore power systems, and fully automated charging for e-vessels.
- Cavotec offers a full suite of integrated shore power and automated mooring systems. The MoorMaster NxG automated mooring system enables even the biggest ships to moor automatically in just a few minutes, ensuring a faster and cleaner connection to shore power systems.
5. Find the right partner, at the beginning of your Shore Power journey
It is important to partner with a solutions provider who can work closely with you throughout the whole shore power project, from design to installation and even operation.
The chosen partner needs to have a deep understanding of shore power applications and knowledge of the standards, the stakes, and the challenges that come with complex infrastructure projects. It is essential therefore to select a company with relevant references and a commitment to best practices.
- Cavotec, has more than four decades of experience of successfully designing and installing Shore Power at hundreds of ports and terminals around the world.
About Cavotec
Cavotec is a leading cleantech company that designs and delivers connection and electrification solutions to enable the decarbonization of ports and industrial applications worldwide. Backed by more than 40 years of experience, our systems ensure safe, efficient and sustainable operations for a wide variety of customers and applications worldwide.
Learn more at cavotec.com or request a call-back now