PEMA highlights shore connection technologies

Shore power is widely recognised as an important technology in mitigating airborne emissions in ports. Such systems enable ships’ diesel engines to be switched off with a resultant reduction in noise and emissions such as particulate matter, nitrogen, carbon, and sulphur oxides, and volatile organic compounds.

“With steps taken to reduce emissions in ports gathering pace, we felt an information paper on this area would be of value to industry policy and decision makers, and the ports community as a whole,” says Lars Meurling, Chair of the PEMA Safety & Environment Committee.

“The paper provides an overview of shore connection technologies, and their application in real-world situations,” adds Loréne Grandidier, lead editor of the paper.

‘Shore Connection – Regulatory Developments and Best Practice’ also focuses on recent regulatory developments in California, China, and Europe, and provides guidelines to ports willing to invest in shore power within the framework of the ISO/IEC/IEEE80005-1 standard that defines shore side electrical connection for larger vessels.

The paper also illustrates several best practice examples based on existing container handling, Ro/Ro, Ro/Pax and cruise applications, and touches on the potential future development of shore connection methods

Issues covered in the best practice section of the paper include the preliminary considerations for ports when identifying berths suitable for shore power, as well as the main dimensioning criteria for shore power installations. This section also provides guidance on frequency conversion systems, safety considerations, and cable management technologies.

The report gathers experience from several equipment manufacturers, and is written by Loréne Grandidier from Cavotec; Diederik Lenssens, WCS Group; Jana Blechschmidt, Prysmian Group; Luciano Corbetta, Cavotec; M. Tiling, Igus; S. Caballero, Schneider Electric; G. Fischer, Siemens; and Knut Marquart, Siemens.

The paper is part of a series of information papers developed by the Safety & Environment Committee to inform readers about the design and use of equipment and technology to improve the safety of people, equipment and cargo, as well as enhance the environmental performance of port and terminal operations.

The committee recently released an information paper on lighting technologies, (details of which you can read in the previous edition of this column), and is set to publish an updated version of its paper on quay crane safety recommendations later this year.

PEMA regularly publishes information papers, independent research reports, and technology briefings intended to inform decision makers in the ports and terminals sector about the design, manufacture and operation of port equipment and technologies worldwide.

While the association does not – and may not – advocate specific technologies, it does seek to contribute to industry awareness of issues and options that ports and terminals may wish to consider. Topics recently covered include container weighing, crane fatigue, container yard automation, and laser technologies. All publications are available for free download at pema.org/publications/

PEMA’s other committees are the Automation & Control Technologies, and Equipment Design & Infrastructure committees, which also regularly publish information papers, technology briefings and independent research.