Japanese container shipping line Mitsui O.S.K Lines Ltd (MOL) has successfully tested a shoreside power supply system fuelled by liquefied natural gas (LNG) on its containership MOL Enterprise, a MOL report revealed today.
The test was carried out at the MOL-operated Trapac container terminal at the Port of Los Angeles using a CleanAir Logix, Inc (CAL) system.
"CAL used a system that was connected to the power cable for the bow thruster motor," said MOL president Akimitsu Ashida.
"Power was connected to this line from an on-shore generator that runs on LNG, substantially reducing emissions of pollutants such as NOx and SOx compared to running the vessel’s generators, which operate on heavy fuel oil," Ashida added.
During the test, only two of the ship’s four onboard generators were in use.
The results of the tests will be used to develop and provide cold ironing supply sources at the port, which MOL hopes will lead to a better environment, the report added.
Los Angeles was the first port in the world to use cold ironing for in-service container ships, allowing them to shut off their diesel-powered engines and use shoreside power for their electrical needs.
The port already offers shoreside power facilities at the West Basin Container Terminal Berth 100, and plans for expansion include a new cold-ironing facility at berth 102.
Targets for the number of ships using the terminal to plug in to shore power will be 90% of vessels starting in January 2010 and 100% in 2011, a port report noted.
The test was carried out at the MOL-operated Trapac container terminal at the Port of Los Angeles using a CleanAir Logix, Inc (CAL) system.
"CAL used a system that was connected to the power cable for the bow thruster motor," said MOL president Akimitsu Ashida.
"Power was connected to this line from an on-shore generator that runs on LNG, substantially reducing emissions of pollutants such as NOx and SOx compared to running the vessel’s generators, which operate on heavy fuel oil," Ashida added.
During the test, only two of the ship’s four onboard generators were in use.
The results of the tests will be used to develop and provide cold ironing supply sources at the port, which MOL hopes will lead to a better environment, the report added.
Los Angeles was the first port in the world to use cold ironing for in-service container ships, allowing them to shut off their diesel-powered engines and use shoreside power for their electrical needs.
The port already offers shoreside power facilities at the West Basin Container Terminal Berth 100, and plans for expansion include a new cold-ironing facility at berth 102.
Targets for the number of ships using the terminal to plug in to shore power will be 90% of vessels starting in January 2010 and 100% in 2011, a port report noted.