John Hollemans, Account Manager SRM, Business Unit Marine & Offshore, Eekels Technology B.V.
Electrification of the shipping industry is progressing slowly, partly due to high costs and complex regulations. To accelerate this transition, governments and industry need to invest in infrastructure and establish clear guidelines. An important step in this direction is the requirement for zero-emission access to ports. This means ships may no longer enter ports using their main engines and are obliged to switch to shore power as soon as they dock. Diesel generators may only be operated in exceptional cases, and can only use sustainable fuels such as 100% biodiesel.
However, this requires ports to have sufficient energy available at all times, preferably from renewable sources. The transition to electric vehicles springs to mind: without enough charging stations, this is a challenge. The government plays a crucial role by establishing and enforcing regulations, while industry must drive technological innovation and invest in electric and hybrid vessels. In the Netherlands, several parties are working to standardize national guidelines at EU level, ensuring all member states apply the same rules. Through joint efforts by governments and industry, the transition to emission-free shipping becomes feasible, but also effective and affordable.
Grid congestion: a self-created problem?
A widely discussed challenge related to the energy transition is grid congestion. In the Netherlands, this seems to be, in part, an administrative issue. Grid congestion is based on contracted capacity, which is rarely fully utilized. Energy suppliers reserve capacity so that they can meet the maximum potential consumption, which leads to overestimation of the actual load. If multiple companies in a port simultaneously attempt to use their full contracted capacity, bottlenecks arise.
The key is to smartly distribute demand for capacity and prevent everyone from operating at full power simultaneously. In many cases, a shore power installation will function properly if users map out their needs and coordinate their consumption more effectively. However, this requires transparency and alignment between companies. This is where the greatest challenge lies: how do you ensure that companies share their energy data, and how can distribution be settled fairly? Clear agreements, mutual cooperation, and harmonization are the keys to smarter energy use.
Standardisation of shore-based power: more efficient and sustainable
Within the maritime sector, standardization of shore power connections can bring significant benefits in terms of energy consumption and grid congestion. Smart and efficient shore power installations can be more easily connected to sustainable energy sources and storage systems, improving alignment between supply and demand.
Currently, there is no uniform maritime sector standard for shore power connections, with the exception of the cruise industry. In this sector, protocols have been successfully harmonized: there are exact specifications for the types of plugs, transformers, and pilot contacts to be used. An example of this is the cruise terminal in Rotterdam, which will soon adopt the same standard as the Cruise Terminal Amsterdam.
In other maritime sectors, such as RoRo shipping, there is, however, a great deal of variation. Although basic rules exist, connections differ significantly depending on the ship and the region. This results in a tangle of systems, with some vessels using specific high-voltage connectors from the United States, while others require completely different types of connections. This diversity makes the connection of shore power for many types of ships complex and inefficient, leading to energy losses and additional costs.
The Netherlands is increasingly focusing on integrating shore power facilities with smart technologies and open-source platforms. This enables ports and users to monitor and manage energy consumption more efficiently, as well as collect data for further optimization. An automated and standardized shore power infrastructure promotes more sustainable shipping while also contributing to more efficient power grid usage.
Conclusion
Electrification of shipping and integration of shore power are crucial steps towards a more sustainable maritime sector. To make this transition a success, collaboration between governments, industry, and ports is essential. Standardization of shore power connections, smart energy distribution, continuous consumption monitoring, intelligent analysis, and clear regulations all contribute to an efficient, affordable, and sustainable energy supply within the shipping industry. Through joint efforts, challenges such as grid congestion and the variability of shore power systems can be overcome, so that the maritime sector can move towards an emission-free future.
Eekels Technology is specialised in electrical and mechanical solutions for the maritime sector. With over 110 years of experience and a global network of offices and partners, the company offers a wide range of products and services that contribute to sustainable and efficient energy solutions on board ships. Through innovation and development of sustainable technologies, Eekels helps create a more efficient, environmentally friendly maritime industry.