Reducing CO2 emissions in Ports

ABB and Fincantieri, the Italian merchant and naval shipbuilder, have signed an agreement to collaborate on the construction, marketing and supply of high-voltage shore connection (HVSC) systems to provide electricity to vessels in port. Harbor facilities around the world are taking a close look at shore-to-ship connections as a way of reducing emissions from ships in port and improve air quality for surrounding communities.

HVSC systems enable ships to draw electricity from onshore power grids while in port to operate onboard equipment as refrigeration units, lighting, cooling and heating systems, instead of burning fuel oil to run electrical generators.

The new shore connection systems to be developed by ABB and Fincantieri will meet all current international standards, and can be installed on ships while under construction, docked for maintenance or even out at sea. Shore connections are now available at ports in the United States, including Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle and Juneau, in Canada at Vancouver, and, in Europe, at ports in Germany, Sweden, Finland and Holland.