Connecting vessels to shore side electricity in Sweden - Measures to strengthen driving forces among ship owners and ports
The use of renewable energy in the sea transport sector can be increased by the use of shore side electricity by vessels in ports, also known as cold ironing*. The environmental impact from the vessels at berth can be reduced in the local port area but also at a global level. Using shore side electricity in ports is a relevant current issue in the transition to fossil-free shipping. Yet, the degree of electrification in Swedish ports is increasing slowly and at present few Swedish vessels make use of this solution. This research project takes its starting point in the industry needs and aims to strengthen the driving forces to realize new business concepts.
The purpose of this project is to understand shore side electricity and investigate the driving forces at shipping companies and ports to use shore side electricity in Sweden to a larger extent, by identifying actions that include decision making and conditions to realize new business concepts.
The project involves key actors, researchers and experts in shipping, transport, business and economics. The project group includes SSPA and the University of Gothenburg, and the industry associations Swedish Shipowner’s Association and Ports of Sweden. In addition, industry and authorities are involved in a reference group with representatives from shipping companies, ports, energy companies and the Swedish Transport Administration.
- 4 partners from Sweden
- Financed by the Swedish Transport Administration
- Project period: Starting January 2020 and running to October 2021
SSPA is contributing with expertise that builds upon international research on shore side electricity and to assemble the results that can have a large potential for immediate use in the industry. The work includes, for example, a large number of interviews, workshops, comparative and external analyses, as well as development of decision support and principles for business concepts.
*Cold ironing is a shipping industry term that first came into use when all ships had coal-fired engines. When a ship tied up at port there was no need to continue to feed the fire and the iron engines would literally cool down, eventually going completely cold, hence the term cold ironing.
Photo
Connecting vessels to shore side electricity requires investments from both ports and ship owners. Photo: Ports of Stockholm.
Contacts
New framework agreement with Ports of Stockholm
Recently, we signed a framework agreement with Ports of Stockholm regarding ship simulations, maritime risk inventories and traffic-, incident- and accident investigations. SSPA had previously a similar framework agreement and has supported investigations and ship simulations regarding the establishment of the new Stockholm Norvik Port, development of Stockholm as a cruise destination and various minor jobs in Kapellskär.
The role of transport-buying companies for increased shipping, new report
Increasing the share of goods transported by sea has received increasing political interest in Sweden in order to achieve sustainable transports. The benefits of moving goods from land to sea transport are for example less congestion, reduced environmental impact, lower cost for companies sending and receiving goods and improved road safety. Despite this, the share of sea transport is not increasing.
Electrification, new pre-study
The needs and possibilities of electrification within shipping is analysed in a pre-study, conducted in a Swedish collaborative project. The aim is to give an overview of the technical development within electrification of sea transportation and analyse parameters that influence the performance and costs. The study also investigate the perspective of industry actors regarding their drivers for maritime electrification as well as existing challenges.
Electric powered vessels
The maritime industry is currently experiencing an increased interest in electric powered vessels. The driving forces include the current development in battery technology, potential for lowering operational costs, increased capacity of drivetrain and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. One of the crucial aspects is finding out when battery and hybrid propulsion is a feasible way of meeting the targets for a specific ship, including its operational profile. We will share our expertise in a seminar.