Core philosophy of the design

Mobility at the point of connection instead of fixed HV equipment Controlled cable guide that keeps 11kV cables off the ground Fast installation and restoration with short port stays Full compliance with IEC 80005-1 safety and operating principles

Important advantages for RoRo terminals

The iMSPO supports 11kV single cable configurations with optional 6.6kV Obstacles (such as fixed connection points for shore power) are removed. High-voltage cables laid exposed on the ground in areas with vehicle traffic are avoided Reduces the manual effort and manpower required for connection processes Enables fast, repeatable connections for frequent docking and berthing operations. Adapts to changing ramp geometries and ship positions on the quay.

The most important findings

IEC 80005-1 guarantees safety. The IMSPO ensures that shore power supply works in the "real" operation of a RoRo terminal. Plan your shore power supply around ramps and traffic routes on the quay of future ship sizes - not around fixed slots. Start coordinating and planning the power architecture, ramp geometry and connection strategy at an early stage.

RoRo terminal

Shore power supply for RoRo terminals

RoRo terminals are used to handle ships that load and unload rolling cargo (lorries, trailers and vehicles) via rear or side ramps. The operation is fast-paced, space-limited and extremely dynamic, characterised by constant vehicle movement and tight turnaround times.

For RoRo terminals, shore power systems must deliver high-voltage power without interfering with ramp operations, lanes or ship movements. This makes the connection between ship and shore - and not the power supply - the biggest design challenge.

Information on shore power supply for container terminals

Shore power requirements in accordance with IEC 80005-1 standards

The IEEE/IEC/ISO 80005-1 standards for high voltage shore connections contain comprehensive information on the design, installation and testing of HVSC (High Voltage Shore Connection) systems. They provide general guidelines for HVSC systems as well as specific appendices for certain ship types. Appendix D is particularly relevant for RoRo vessels. This section contains specifications that ensure the global interoperability and safety of the systems through defined test parameters.

Some of the most important design features for RoRo terminals and ships are:

The nominal voltage of the high voltage shore connection system (HVSC) is 11kV AC(often on RoRo vessels).
Alternatively, there are also ships that use a system with a nominal voltage of 6.6kV AC.
In most RoRo applications, a single high-voltage cable is required.
Integrated safety control cables are used for electrical interlocking, monitoring and control system as well as emergency shutdown

Finally, it should be noted that IEC 80005-1 defines the electrical interface and the safety philosophy. However, it does not take into account ramps, vehicle traffic or frequent repositioning of the ship - influences that dominate RoRo operations.

The "connection dilemma" at the RoRo terminal

Challenge No. 1:

Ramp geometry and traffic conflicts.

The loading ramps of the RoRo ships occupy the same space on the quay that is normally used for fixed shore power connections and the laying of cables.

The fixed connection points lead to conflicts:

Physical conflicts with ramps
Safety risks due to vehicles crossing the paths of the high-voltage cables
Restricted ramp angles or makeshift solutions during operation

In practice, fixed infrastructures force compromises either in the flow of goods or in the reliability of connections.

Challenge No. 2:

High-voltage cables in areas subject to vehicular traffic

In the operation of a RoRo terminal, (heavy) vehicles are constantly on the move. Therefore, any solution for a shore power supply poses an unacceptable safety and damage risk to the

11kV cables on the ground
Cables across lanes
Permanently installed structures required near the ramp

edges.

Compliance with IEC standards alone does not minimise these risks to smooth operations.

Challenge No. 3:

Frequent connections and short port calls

Operations at a RoRo terminal are typically characterised by

frequent arrivals of ships,
short berthing times at the quay,
a need for fast, repeatable connections and decoupling of ships.

The manual handling of the heavy 11kV cables increases

the labour requirements,
the time required for connection and disconnection,
the susceptibility to operating errors.

Over time, this reduces the value of shore power supply in RoRo terminals with high throughput.

Why fixed connection points in the shore power supply fall short

Fixed connection points for the shore power supply are based on the following points:

Stationary ramp geometry
Clear separation between energy systems and vehicular traffic
Minimal ship movement during loading and unloading processes

These assumptions rarely apply to RoRo terminals.
Fixed infrastructure elements quickly represent a bottleneck or a safety problem in the operational process and lead to restrictions in the positioning of the ramps and the utilisation of berths.

The resolution of the dilemma ... with the iMSPO

The igus Mobile Shore Power Outlet (iMSPO) was designed to bypass ramps and traffic, not interfere with them.

Mobility at the point of connection instead of fixed HV equipment
Controlled cable guide that keeps 11kV cables off the ground
Fast installation and restoration with short port stays
Full compliance with IEC 80005-1 safety and operating principles

The iMSPO supports 11kV single cable configurations with optional 6.6kV
Obstacles (such as fixed connection points for shore power) are removed.
High-voltage cables laid exposed on the ground in areas with vehicle traffic are avoided
Reduces the manual effort and manpower required for connection processes
Enables fast, repeatable connections for frequent docking and berthing operations.
Adapts to changing ramp geometries and ship positions on the quay.

RoRo terminals are dependent on throughput times. Any shore power system that slows down operations or causes traffic interference is bypassed.

By providing a secure and predictable connection to the ship, the igus Mobile Shore Power Outlet allows shore power to function as part of normal RoRo operations rather than as a special case.

IEC 80005-1 guarantees safety. The IMSPO ensures that shore power supply works in the "real" operation of a RoRo terminal.
Plan your shore power supply around ramps and traffic routes on the quay of future ship sizes - not around fixed slots.
Start coordinating and planning the power architecture, ramp geometry and connection strategy at an early stage.

Our solution

igus® Mobile Shore Power Outlet

The iMSPO for RoRo vessels enables flexible positioning of power connections along the entire berth - exactly where they are needed. The system is fully compliant with IEC standards and can be used with any type of cable management system.