Conclusions and recommendations

 

Several ports offer onshore power to some extent and the ports are in general interested in expanding the possibility for OPS for more ships. Some ports are therefore now investigating new OPS for more ships in the ports.

It is easier to offer onshore power for ships that regularly call a port. If a ship needs to stay in port for a longer period, it is possible for only some ports to power the ship.

Ships / drilling platforms / laid up ships and other vessels that are in a port for longer periods can to a greater extent be supplied with shore power. However, this will require investments and thorough considerations.

Many ships cannot today receive shore power; therefore, these ships need to be retrofitted first. It depends on the type of ship and the degree to which the ship is prepared for OPS.

Fishing ports can supply most of the fishing vessels with shore power, however the largest vessels have quite large power demands and further OPS in key fishing hubs should be considered.

It is still too early for conclusion when discussing shore power infrastructure and future fuels for shipping. Electrical energy will play a key role, and for this reason, ports and utility companies must collaborate. However, this is not an issue for the maritime industry only, this is the general trend of electrifying the world. Therefore, politicians on all levels, local, national, and international, must facilitate and invest in future power grid upgrades.

Shore power as a technology is not a stand-alone solution that fixes all issues with emissions from shipping. Owners investments in ship operations on carbon neutral fuels are based on high utilization thereby competing with the OPS. Shore Power will complement other technologies, both now and in the future. Shore power technology is already advanced and therefore will have an instant positive impact when implemented.

In the coming years, we will experience rapid investments in shore power for all maritime sub- segments. This is because we need to do it, for the sake of the environment and to reach the goals set by the Paris agreement. But it is also because it can be a good business for both ports, utility companies and ship owners.