ABB Shore Connection

Today, shipping accounts for close to three percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, and with maritime trade volumes set to triple by 2050, stricter regulations are being put in place to minimize emissions from ships. ABB offers multiple solutions for ships and ports to reduce emissions significantly.

The impact of noise and air pollution can be easiest seen, heard and smelled at ports. For over 20 years, ABB has been helping to reduce port emissions by connecting berthed ships to shore power.

Vessels docked in ports need electricity to run ventilation, lighting, heating and cooling, and other amenities. With ABB's shore connection solutions, berthed vessels can plug into an onshore power supply and shut down their engines, eliminating carbon emissions as well as noise and vibrations. Once in port, power and control cables are connected to the ship, and the last running engine is synchronized with the landside power grid. Once the engine synchronization has been made, the onboard engine can be stopped. The technology ensures a seamless switch from on-board generation to shoreside power supply, without disruption of onboard operations.

Cruise ships and ferries have been among the first to replace main engine power in port with shore power, along with container ships. Cruise ships often stay in ports for an extended period, while still needing to support onboard amenities. Using onshore power makes the stay more comfortable for passengers, as well as for people living in the area surrounding the harbor.

While emissions savings depend on specific installations, by connecting to shore power a cruise ship could reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 35 percent during a port stay. This equals about 13.77 metric tons daily per vessel, or the equivalent of CO₂ emitted by over 1,000 combustion passenger cars.

Increasingly, other vessel types are utilizing shore connection technology in response to stricter environmental regulations. To date, ABB has commissioned, or is contracted to commission, shore connection technology for 150 projects onboard various vessel types, including ferries, cruise ships, container ships, gas carriers and others around the world.

Key facts:

• 20 years of cutting emissions in ports
• Cruise ships can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 35%
• Available for various ship types, including passenger and cargo vessels

Discover more about ABB Shore Connection