Port of Gothenburg debuts new onshore power supply facility
Stena Line will inaugurate a completely new onshore power supply facility for the company's ferries operating between Sweden and Germany. In total, one in three vessels that put into the Port of Gothenburg can now turn off their diesel engines at the quayside and instead use green, onshore power supply, the Port Authority press release said.
Throughout the world it is most common for vessels to use their auxiliary engines when at berth to generate electricity on board. Allowing the diesel engines on one single vessel to remain running during a ten-hour stopover can generate up to 20 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. Turning off the engines and using onshore power supply instead would result in significant environmental gains. Carbon dioxide emissions would fall significantly and sulphur dioxide and nitric oxide emissions would disappear completely. Furthermore, onshore power supply would result in a quieter port environment and a better working environment.
"Gothenburg is a living port city and shipping is part of the city's soul. It is a matter of ensuring that the highly important ferry traffic is as optimal as possible in environmental terms, especially close to the city centre. Connecting the vessels to onshore power supply is a forceful measure to reduce emissions and noise," states Magnus Kårestedt, chief executive of the Port of Gothenburg.
The new onshore power supply facility, which has been developed by ABB, is the result of a joint investment initiative by Stena Line and the Port of Gothenburg. With the commissioning of the new facility all Stena Line's five passenger and freight ferries will be connected to onshore power supply when at berth. In total, one in three vessels that put into Gothenburg can use this technology – a unique figure in international terms.
Throughout the world it is most common for vessels to use their auxiliary engines when at berth to generate electricity on board. Allowing the diesel engines on one single vessel to remain running during a ten-hour stopover can generate up to 20 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. Turning off the engines and using onshore power supply instead would result in significant environmental gains. Carbon dioxide emissions would fall significantly and sulphur dioxide and nitric oxide emissions would disappear completely. Furthermore, onshore power supply would result in a quieter port environment and a better working environment.
"Gothenburg is a living port city and shipping is part of the city's soul. It is a matter of ensuring that the highly important ferry traffic is as optimal as possible in environmental terms, especially close to the city centre. Connecting the vessels to onshore power supply is a forceful measure to reduce emissions and noise," states Magnus Kårestedt, chief executive of the Port of Gothenburg.
The new onshore power supply facility, which has been developed by ABB, is the result of a joint investment initiative by Stena Line and the Port of Gothenburg. With the commissioning of the new facility all Stena Line's five passenger and freight ferries will be connected to onshore power supply when at berth. In total, one in three vessels that put into Gothenburg can use this technology – a unique figure in international terms.