Shipping Line's Investment in Shore Power Offers Major Savings in Carbon Emissions

EUROPE – One of Europe’s biggest ferry operators, Stena Line has taken another step in cleaning up its operations while in port. The company has inaugurated a new shore power facility in the Port of Kiel, Germany that will allow the vessels that Stena operates there to draw their power directly from the shore instead of keeping their engines running whilst docked.

Stena states that this will cut CO₂ emissions from the two vessels, the Stena Scandinavica and Stena Germanica, by 2,700 tonnes per year. Additionally, it will also substantially cut down on Nitrogen Oxide, Sulphur Dioxide and particulate emissions caused by the continual burning of bunker fuels to provide on-board power, as is common with vessels such as ferries that have fast turnaround. These are recognised as a major environmental issue in ports and their surrounding areas.

Aside from Kiel, Stena Line have the possibility to connect to shore power supply at its two terminals in Gothenburg, as well as four other European ports served by Stena, thus saving 13,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year in its network. Of the 36 vessels in the Stena Line fleet, 14 are now equipped with High Voltage Shore Connection systems (HVSC). Niclas Mårtensson, CEO Stena Line, said:

“Shore power supply is important for us for two reasons, first we want to have an immediate positive impact on the air quality in the ports we use. Secondly, we expect an even higher share of electrification in ports in the future, at cars, trucks, port vehicles and not the least at ships. With our battery and power bank projects, we develop our ferry services further in that direction constantly and we learn something new each day. In 2030 we expect to launch a 100% battery powered and fossil free vessel”.

The shore power project is a great example of the industry and local government working together to clean up port operations. Kiel’s new facility was co-funded by the state government of Schleswig-Holstein to a tune of €8.9 million and the EU for €1.26 million. In addition, Germany´s federal government recently agreed on a political package to decrease the user prices for on-shore electricity significantly, further encouraging shipping lines to adopt the technology.

Photo: Now THAT is a battery!