Maritime DTU

Exploring the challenges and potential of 'emission-free” port stays

Electrification is a central aspect of the green transition of shipping and society in general. For more than two decades vessels have been connecting to shore to lower emissions from the vessel, initially targeting local air emissions and noise. The adoption of shore power has been slow and mainly driven by local regulations and subsidies. Recently though, the focus on emissions from vessels during port stays has received increasing attention due to the focus on lowering GHG emissions and while a full ‘net-zero’ energy transition of all vessels lies decades into the future, the proximity to shore expands the opportunity space, and the pace of which it can be done, during port stays.

This workshop aims to bring central stakeholders together to explore the goal of ‘emission-free’ port stays from various perspectives. We will discuss the environmental problem that we are trying to solve, the concept of ‘zero emission’, and look at current and coming regulations. We will discuss the technical and operational challenges with the dominant solution currently in use; grid-connected shore power. Further, we will discuss alternative and complementary technologies and their potential role in mitigating the challenges towards a future ‘zero emission port stay’. We will also touch upon environmental implications, the relationship with the rising need for charging of vessels, and the general electrification of port equipment, and finally discuss potential synergies/dis-synergies with the overall energy transition of our industry and society. Following the workshop, a white paper highlighting the challenges and potential solutions for lowering emissions from port stays will be published.