Plug in power

Called PLUG, a (loose) acronym for “Power Generation during Loading and Unloading”, it allows for automatic and very safe connection between vessels and port terminals.

The automated solution makes repeated connections and disconnections simple, say manufacturers NG2, since it doesn’t require manual assistance from either crew or harbour personnel. The system can provide supplies of several megawatts at up to 11,000V and can be adapted to all types of vessel.

However, the manufacturers do have a particular profile in mind for the market, and these would tend to be ro-ro ships which are in areas that are both sensitive to environmental issues and are subject to pressures and regulation. Further, the operators probably need to be able to gain help from subsidies in order to install a quayside connection – as always the expensive end of the procedure.

This is basically the case for ro-ro ships on regular calls. Typically, these need low power, alongside cumulatively long periods of power exchange with shore-side networks.

The advantages say the manufacturers, include improved economic performance in particular for commercial vessels, given that shore-based electricity is generally cheaper than electricity generated on board ship and a significant safety improvement over manual quayside connection systems since the PLUG contacts cannot be reached by human hands.

However it might occasionally be worthwhile generating electricity on board in order to supplement the shore-based network (in particular at peak consumption or in the event of power cuts), an addition that the system usefully allows.

The PLUG solution has been picked up by Louis Dreyfus Armement for its next Le Havre ferry while Total Shipping has a view to equipping its future gas container fleet for the Brass LGN project.