Shore Power Becomes an Important Factor in Shipping

Shore power is increasingly moving beyond its traditional role as a measure to reduce emissions and is becoming a key operational and regulatory factor for shipowners, according to the latest DNV white paper.

With tightening regulatory requirements in Europe, California, and parts of Asia, access to shore power is beginning to impact both compliance obligations and operational costs during port stays. As explained in the DNV document "Shore Power in Shipping: Technology, Regulation, and Implementation," previously considered mainly as a voluntary efficiency measure, shore power is increasingly being integrated into compliance planning for parts of the global fleet.

The technology itself is already sufficiently developed and can provide immediate reductions in fuel consumption, emissions, and noise at the dock by replacing the operation of auxiliary engines.

However, uneven global adoption means that shipowners must increasingly consider specific docks and routes when planning operations, especially in jurisdictions where penalties are imposed for not using available shore power.

Shore power can provide immediate, measurable reductions in emissions by decreasing the need to burn fuel while at berth. However, its use remains limited due to the mismatch in readiness between ships and ports. Ports are hesitant to invest without predictable demand, while shipowners delay upgrades without reliable availability at the dock. Accelerating adoption will depend on regulatory clarity, public co-funding, and targeted incentives working in parallel.

To date, only about 4% of the global fleet is equipped with high-voltage connections for shore power, with the highest prevalence observed in the cruise (29%) and container segments (20%), and significantly lower in bulk carriers (7%) and tankers (1%). From a port perspective, availability is limited; about 3% of ports offer shore power, primarily concentrated in Europe, China, and the USA. The types, designs, and sizes of vessels significantly influence the installation of shore power systems.

While there are standards for container and passenger vessels, tankers face significant challenges due to a lack of standardization, particularly regarding the location of shore power connections. Tanker vessels also require greater attention to safety due to the often-flammable cargoes, both onboard and onshore. Compatibility and safe operation depend on compatible systems onboard and ashore in accordance with global standards and recommendations.

The potential for reducing fuel consumption and emissions through shore power largely depends on the type of vessel and how the port operates, as not all energy needs onboard can be easily met with shore power.

While shore power can replace electricity generated by auxiliary engines, vessels may also rely on oil-fired boilers to generate thermal energy (e.g., steam and hot water) for needs such as domestic hot water, tank cleaning, cargo heating, and pump operation for certain vessels.

Tankers, bulk carriers, and container ships together account for about 60% of total energy consumption in ports. However, energy consumption varies significantly depending on the vessel segment, especially in the ratio between electrical and thermal consumption, with tankers showing the highest dependence on thermal energy from boilers.

The findings align with data presented in the EU, highlighting notable differences in energy use from main engines, auxiliary engines, and boilers depending on the type and size of the vessel. These operational differences also lead to varying levels of energy consumed while at berth, and consequently, different opportunities for fuel savings through the use of shore power.

Cruise ships, for example, typically spend longer periods in port and have significant hotel service requirements, resulting in about 9% of total fuel consumption occurring while at berth (excluding boilers). In contrast, cargo vessels generally record a lower share of fuel in port, ranging from 2-4% (excluding boilers).