Shore power
Shore power, also known as cold ironing or onshore power supply, delivers electrical power from port-based grids to berthed vessels, allowing them to deactivate auxiliary diesel engines and thereby curtail fuel consumption, noise, and exhaust emissions.[1][2]
The technology operates under harmonized international standards, including IEC/IEEE 80005-1, which delineates requirements for high-voltage shore connections, cable management, and safety protocols to ensure compatibility between diverse ship electrical systems and shore infrastructure.[3][4]
Implementation yields substantial environmental gains, with empirical assessments indicating reductions in nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and particulate matter emissions often surpassing 90% relative to auxiliary engine operation, though precise benefits depend on factors such as vessel type, local grid cleanliness, and operational duration at berth.[5][6][7]
Despite these advantages, adoption remains uneven globally due to elevated upfront costs for port electrification and vessel retrofitting, alongside regulatory mandates in select jurisdictions like California that compel compliance for certain ship classes to mitigate port-area air quality degradation.[8][9][10]