Clean energy grows

The Port of Gothenburg’s Energy Port will offer shoreside power to tankers from 2023, with an estimated 1,800t per year reduction in carbon emissions. Shoreside power is already available at several other port locations.

“We are about to take the next crucial step by connecting tankers to shoreside power points,” said Jörgen Wrennfors, production development engineer at Gothenburg Port Authority. “Doing so in an explosive environment is more complicated, and the Port of Gothenburg looks as if it will become the first port in the world to offer this option. The hope is that other ports will follow suit, creating a basis for a shoreside power standard in explosive environments.”

Increasing eco focus

Several tanker operators, including a large contingent from the local island of Donsö, have a strong environmental focus. A number have switched to LNG/LBG to power their vessels, and they are looking for further ways to mitigate the environmental impact of emissions and noise by ensuring their vessels can connect to a shoreside power supply.

“Many of the shipping companies have commissioned new vessels, and the current development has come at the right time,” said Wrennfors.

The shoreside power investment is partly financed by Klimatklivet, an investment support initiative for local and regional measures that reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other climate affecting gases. The project has been granted SEK10.7m.

The port said shipping companies that have shown an interest in shoreside power include Terntank, Furetank, Donsötank, Ektank, Veritas Tankers, and Tarbit Shipping.

Gothenburg aims to reduce carbon emissions by 70% through to 2030. Shoreside power is already available at the Stena Line berths at Majnabbe and Masthugget, and at two of the berths at the Gothenburg Roro Terminal at Älvsborgshamnen.