ABB shore to ship solution to lower ship impact in Vancouver

ABB has secured a contract by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, to provide a technology solution that will enable power to be supplied from shore to the Global Container Terminal (GCT) Deltaport. The project is part of a joint commitment by the federal government and the Port Authority to reduce environmental impact.

Canada’s largest container port, located in Delta, British Columbia, is designed to handle trans-Pacific container vessels. The Deltaport terminal is spread over a one square kilometer area, with three berths across 1,100 metres.

The shore to ship solution is expected to enable ships to connect to the electrical grid of Canadian utility, BC Hydro, instead of using diesel generators. The company will provide the design, engineering and supply of high voltage shore connection system, with protection, control and communication capabilities.

As the company explained, the ability to shut down ship engines at the port will curtail polluting substances, such as nitrogen and sulphur oxides (NOx and SOx), and will also mitigate noise and vibration levels, to support the terminal’s sustainability goals. By plugging in to the grid when berthed and shutting down their engines, vessels will not only help reduce the port’s environmental impact, but will also become eligible for discounted power supply, as a further acknowledgement of their voluntary emission reduction measures.

A large cruise vessel running its auxiliary engines on diesel, to power its loads while in port, emits the equivalent amount of NOx as 10,000 cars driving from Zurich to London, in 8 hours. ABB’s solution to power ships with electricity supplied from shore includes special substations that can cater to both 50Hz and 60Hz vessels from different parts of the world, together with on-board connections and automation panels.This enables ships to shut down their engines while berthed and plug in to an onshore power source, without disrupting on-board services.

This solution can eliminate 98 percent of emissions as well as the noise and vibrations, making it possible to have ports in the middle of cities and people can enjoy living right on the water’s edge. And from the ship owner’s perspective, it reduces maintenance and operating costs.