Cold Ironing Could Soon Become Standard In-Port Procedure: DNV GL

K Line Offshore AS vessel KL Sandefjord is said to be the first offshore vessel to receive the DNV GL class notation Shore Power. Image Credit: DNV GL.

An increasing awareness of the impact of Shipping emissions is giving a boost to interest in the use of shore power, according to DNV GL's Jon Rysst, Senior Vice President and Regional Manager North Europe.

"This is leading to ports both requiring and incentivizing the use of alternative maritime power (AMP). As access expands, alongside the rise of fully electric and hybrid vessels, cold ironing could soon become standard procedure in many ports around the world – with a noticeable positive impact on air quality."

The comments came alongside what the company said was the first classification of an offshore vessel with the DNV GL class notation Shore Power, which has been awarded to the K Line Offshore AS vessel KL Sandefjord.

Plugging into shore power at berth, also known as cold ironing, means that instead of using its engines to generate power a vessel uses shore-based electricity that has, in theory at least, been generated more efficiently.

This reduces the fuel consumption and the emissions directly associated with the vessel.

"With an on-board shore power installation tested and verified by DNV GL, we now have an offshore vessel equipped for the future," said Espen Sørensen, Senior Vice President, Operation and Technical in K Line Offshore AS.

DNV GL says its electrical shore connection class rules cover, amongst other things, safety requirements for a vessel's on-board electrical shore connection and a verification of compatibility between ship and port.

"With the Shore Power notation shipowners can easily document a safe interface between shore facilities and the ship, based on IEC standards," said Rysst.

If nothing else, the comments demonstrate an enduring interest in shore power despite suggestions in 2015 by president and CEO of the South Carolina Ports Authority, James Newsome, that it was a "last-generation solution."

For the record, Newsome's comments were immediately challenged by shore power advocates including Port of Seattle and Port of Los Angeles.