The Port of the Future: Going Green with Shore Power

The world is going green, and ports are no exception. One major challenge they face is reducing emissions from docked ships, which rely on diesel generators for power – equivalent to a small town, these generators create significant air and noise pollution.

The good news? There's a solution: shore power. This innovative technology allows docked ships to connect to the electrical grid, eliminating the need for diesel generators.

Five major European ports are leading the charge – Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Le Havre – have committed to supplying shoreside electricity to large container ships by 2028.

Shore power offers a clear advantage: a globally recognized standard with successful pilot programs already underway. However, some hurdles remain, particularly encouraging adoption and addressing infrastructure challenges.

The Port of Hamburg is taking a pioneering step by installing the world's first mobile shore power connection systems for container ships by igus.

Why mobile? Container terminals are a dynamic environment with ships of various sizes docking in different positions. Traditional, fixed connection points wouldn't work.

At igus, we're proud to be developing ingenious solutions that push the boundaries of green technology. Our expertise in energy chain systems led us to create the world's first mobile shore power connection system for container ships.

This innovative system incorporates knowledge from existing shore power installations for ferries, floating storage units, offshore supply vessels, and even the largest working vessels in Rotterdam. igus' industry-leading test lab was also a deciding factor, allowing for thorough system functionality testing.

"Being part of this lighthouse project is a great honour," says Martin Tiling, Shore Power industry manager at igus. "We are proud to be at the forefront of green innovation and confident that our ideas and technologies will continue to contribute to a more climate-friendly future."

Flexible Systems Conquer the Connection Challenge

No two ports are alike. Tidal behaviour, terminal design, and equipment all vary. Container ships equipped for shore power have cable drums that lower two connector cables onto the quay. These connect to couplings on the quayside.

However, these cable drums can be located anywhere on the ship – stern, amidships, port, or starboard side. Combine this with varying ship sizes, and the connection point becomes a complex puzzle.

The answer lies in a flexible, mobile solution: the iMSPO (igus Mobile Shore Power Outlet) system. This innovative system features a movable socket that travels along a 400-meter section of quay (the length of the largest container ships), precisely reaching the ship's connection point. The ship's cables simply need to be lowered and connected to the movable socket – a simple and efficient solution.


The future of ports is green, and shore power with innovative solutions like the iMSPO system is leading the way.

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