The UK’s first green shipping corridor has taken a step forward.
Schneider Electric, a specialist in digital transformation of energy management and automation, has confirmed an eight-month consultancy process to assess the opportunity to link the UK Port of Dover with both Calais and Dunkirk in France, as part of the UK’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC).
Schneider Electric is assessing green energy pathway options for marine vessels and land vehicles to facilitate zero-emission movement of goods freight and passengers, with the process also including how to introduce cold-ironing capabilities to ships while berthed.
The Port of Dover is an integral part of the process and Schneider Electric is going to be developing a “digital twin” model of the port’s electrical infrastructure to allow a new shore power system to be designed and tested on a virtual basis, including how to efficiently integrate the system into the existing port with minimal disruption.
Peter Selway, Segment Marketing Manager at Schneider Electric, explains further: “Port operators are facing pressure to transition to more sustainable business models that meet with the net-zero ambitions of the Clean Maritime Plan. UK ports are also becoming energy producers, providing the shore power needed to charge electric and hybrid vessels. By partnering in this consultancy project, we’re able to advise the Port of Dover on how to strategically invest in the shore power capabilities and infrastructure needed to support a green shipping corridor…. decarbonising this critical shipping channel will reduce maritime greenhouse gas emissions and provide a blueprint for other ports to follow.”
Schneider Electric has already assisted the Port of Dover with the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition phase 1 to support the technological development necessary to reduce carbon emissions as part of the Port of Dover Air Quality Action Plan.
