Huge investments needed to meet EU shore power requirements – ESPO
The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) has asked ports, terminals and shipping firms in the EU to prepare to implement upcoming alternative energy regulations.
PHOTO: Port of Rotterdam. Getty Images
The European Parliament will vote on two maritime regulations on 12 July: how Alternative Fuel Infrastructure (AFIR) should be deployed, and use of renewable and low carbon fuels in maritime transportation (FuelEU Maritime).
ESPO says it will welcome the final agreements on these regulations.
AFIR sets out a framework for deploying onshore power supply (OPS) in ports. When adopted, the AFIR regulation is expected to require all inland ports connected to the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) to have shoreside electricity infrastructure by 2030.
“2030 will be the deadline for TEN-T ports to have onshore power infrastructure in place to serve the demand from container and passenger ships,” said ESPO.
FuelEU Maritime will regulate shore power use by ships in EU ports.
“FuelEU Maritime obliges ships to use the installations as from 2030, unless they use other zero-emission technologies, with some exceptions until 2035,” the body further adds.
However, ESPO also highlights a few challenges to deploying and using OPS:
- Lack of a business case and invesments
- Not enough grid capacity to connect several vessels at the same time
- Most countries' electricity pricing systems not fit for purpose
- Additional investments required in larger ports to support network grid and capacity upgrades
- Connecting/disconnecting operations differ between vessel segments
- OPS infrastructure is tailor-made to every ship type, making long-term planning and investment complicated
“The development and use of new fuels and energy solutions, such as onshore power supply, is the most important pillar of greening the shipping sector,” said ESPO secretary general Isabelle Ryckbost.
“The emissions at berth will only go down if the OPS installations are properly used."
By Aparupa Mazumder
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