Energy supply systems for shore power supply in ports

Shore power, also known as cold ironing, is becoming increasingly important. More and more ports are facing growing environmental awareness among the population. Stricter guidelines are forcing them to use more environmentally friendly technologies. Our customised energy supply systems for providing vessels at berth with shore power are the solution to reduce air pollution, noise and vibration. An international standard ensures that various types of ships can be supplied with shore power in different ports around the world. IEC 80005-1 defines the standard for medium-voltage connections and IEC 80005-3 for supply of low-voltage connections.

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Shore power application examples

Mobile shore power connection for container ships at the port of Hamburg

At Container Terminal Hamburg (CTH), three mobile shore power connections have been installed on the quays to ensure a flexible, fast and safe power connection for container ships. Over lengths of 300, 150 and 110m, the shore power connection at CTH is precisely aligned with the ship's berth.

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iMSPO system beside the hull of a large ship in the port.

Mobile shore power connection at the cruise ship terminal in the port of Rotterdam

The port of Rotterdam relies on a modern shore power concept at its terminal for cruise ships. Whereas in the past the ships moored at the quay had to use their diesel generators to provide power, they are now supplied with electricity on land. The iMSPO Cruise, a socket that runs along the entire quay wall, allows for fast movement of the connection to the cruise ship.

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iMSPO installation in front of a cruise ship in Rotterdam port, with the docking unit highlighted.

e-dispenser ensures an uninterrupted power supply and short charging times at the port

Crowley's eWolf electric tractor is the first all-electric port tractor to be built and operated in the USA. Central to the electric operation of the eWolf is a shore-side charging system, which ensures that the tractor can be connected and disconnected quickly and charged reliably. This is made possible by the igus e-dispenser.

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The ShorePower dispenser charges Crowley’s eWolf tugboat at the port with 1MW DC.

Space-saving shore-side power supply at the Tollerort terminal in Hamburg

At the Container Terminal Tollerort (CTT), the smallest terminal in the port of Hamburg in terms of area, an exceptionally space-saving and flexible shore-side power supply was to be found. The operator decided on an e-spool flex, a large drum with a rol e-chain®, in combination with a socket trolley that can be moved along the quay.

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ShorePower e-chain Reel at Container Terminal Tollerort in Hamburg beside a container ship.

3,000 shore power connections per year

The Mongstad offshore base is one of the most frequently used bases in Norway. The shore power e-spool makes sure that the vessels that change twice a day are reliably supplied with shore power. Integrated in a 10-foot container, it can be positioned as desired.

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Shore power system at a ship with cables and a white connection container on the quay.

Shore power cable management system for FSU in Bahrain

For the new offshore LNG terminal in Bahrain, Schneider Electric and igus have developed the world's first shore-side power supply system for a floating storage unit (FSU). Its core component is a flexible cable feed system between the landing stage and the FSU.

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LNG ship moored at a terminal with connecting hoses.

Shore power gangway for Becker Marine Systems

"Hummel", the floating liquefied gas power plant from Becker Marine Systems, supplies cruise ships in the port with energy. The igus® shore power gangway, which serves both as a cable feed system and as a passenger gangway, connects the barge with the quay and guides cables with connectors.

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Becker LNG Hybrid Barge with a conveyor system and cable guide on the ship.

Container terminal with stacked containers, cranes and ships in the harbor at sunrise.

Use at container terminals

The handling capacity at the quay wall determines whether the terminal is profitable. With daily arrivals and departures, flexible planning of the ships' berthing positions is therefore absolutely essential.

As the cable management system on board the vessel can be located in various places and the maximum extension length is limited (35-55m), stationary shore power connections on the quay restrict the connection area. The igus mobile SPO technology offers flexibility for your terminal and helps you save costs.

Mobile shore power system for container terminals
Tech up, cost down – finally, the iMSPO allows you to deliver shore power to your ships and not the ships to your shore power. Connect every ship at any location along the entire berth with a single self-propelled socket. Get full flexibility and reduce installation and maintenance costs at the same time.

Learn more about the system by joining our industry expert for a live demonstration at our testing site.

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Shore power - case study "Cruise terminal Rotterdam"

The supply of shore power in ports has become increasingly important in recent years. EU ports above a certain traffic volume will be obliged to provide shore power for ships from 2030. In this case study, you can find out what challenges the Port of Rotterdam faced when implementing it and how the result was able to contribute to sustainability.

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Mock-up of the case study on shore power supply for the Rotterdam cruise terminal with brochure view.

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Container ship at the quay with port cranes and stacked containers for land handling.

Solutions for shore power supply on board

For container shipping, the IEC 80005-1 standard states that the cable feed system be installed on the ship. Container ships sail on all the world's seas and withstand wind and weather under extremely tough conditions.
The cable guidance system is carried on board, either as a semi-mobile system in a 40‘HC container in a container space near the stern of the ship, or as a permanently installed system usually located amidships depending on the position of the engine room.
The igus e-spool offers the necessary specifications, is flexible to use and requires little maintenance.

e-spool shorepower with red cables on a metal frame, cut out.

Innovative energy supply technology
The e-spool Shore Power is a motorised cable drum equipped with a twisterchain module instead of a slip ring to enable a continuous cable run throughout the system. It is low-maintenance and easy to inspect as it contains fewer vulnerable electrical components and is resistant to seawater, cold, heat and vibrations.
The e-spool Shore Power offers a direct, uninterrupted cable guidance system from the control cabinet to the connector, and is ideal for demanding weather conditions and vibrations.

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chainflex CFCRANE cable with protective jacket and stranded construction.

Robust cables for shore power connections

The TPE and PUR chainflex cables are suitable for shore power connections in line with the high reliability and durability requirements that apply in harbours. They were developed for continuous movement and are ideal for high push and full forces and extreme weather conditions, so they provide a solution component for reliable, failure-free power supply directly at the quay.

CFCRANE in the online shop

Our system solutions for shore power supply

e-spool for shore power in front of an industrial building.

e-chain reel

Flexibility for existing and new shore power connections
Protected cable guidance
Increases safety and durability

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Cable reel for ShorePower on a steel frame.

e-spool shore power

Slip ring-free system
Resistance to seawater, cold, heat and vibrations
Low-maintenance and inspection-friendly

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A worker operates a mobile shore power unit at the quay.

Long travels for mobile SPO

Travels of 450m or more possible

Proven technology, longer service life, cost-effective

Modular design

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igus ECS dispenser with hose system for media supply.

e-dispenser for shore-power supply

Modular and compact system
Time-saving, partially automated connection of the power supply
No exhaust gases, no noise, high degree of safety

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ShorePower cable carrier for offshore cables.

Offshore chain

Durable, robust, but still flexible
Optimised for installation, inspection and maintenance
Resistant to corrosion, seawater, oil and UV radiation

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U-shaped cable protection tube between two vertical guides.

Modular e-loop energy chain system

Can be opened and closed as required
All parts are individually replaceable
Easy maintenance

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Special requirements in offshore and LNG areas

Offshore terminals and ships place high demands on the flexibility and reliability of energy chain solutions, especially in combination with extreme weather conditions and changing berthing positions. LNG terminals, on the other hand, require robust and low-maintenance shore power supply systems that can cope with the challenges of long distances, harsh environmental conditions and constant operational readiness, for which the OSC energy supply system is ideal. Both areas need systems that can compensate for movements due to tides, wind and waves and implement emergency mechanisms. Such a system can also be found in our user report on the FSU in Bahrain.

ECS Offshore chain guide with multi-link energy chain for cables and lines.

Innovative energy supply technology
The OSC offshore chain is a robust and flexible energy chain that has been specifically developed for use in extreme conditions. It combines the advantages of a plastic energy chain with a high-strength pull rope, and its modular design can be customised to suit the project in question.

It is ideal for offshore terminals and ships that require a high degree of flexibility and reliability, as well as for LNG terminals that depend on robust and low-maintenance solutions for shore power supply.

More information about the offshore chain

Where is shore power used?

As an environmentally friendly alternative to supplying power to ships in the port, shore power is a decisive factor in reducing the environmental impact on the port area. The regulation issued by the European Union, which requires shore power in most cases, makes the challenge for port operators even more important. This leads to pressure to provide functional solutions at the quayside, which will increase in the coming years.

Cold ironing will therefore be mandatory at all major EU ports in future, affecting not only cargo vessels but also cruise ships. The requirements for the application differ in terms of the length of idle time, the need for flexible connections and also the type of power supply, particularly with regard to voltage and plug-in connections. igus offers various systems that meet the requirements of port operators and specifications of cable feed systems on board ships.