In recent months, there has been a argument from some corners indicating that Shore Power (aka Cold Ironing) is old fashioned and unnecessary, and can be avoided by installing scrubbers on ships.
Not only does Shore Power protect the community from Diesel Exhaust pollution, in most cases it reduces greenhouse gases.
The argument, led by the president and CEO of the South Carolina Ports Authority, and assisted by Carnival Cruise Lines (See Ports officials want to unplug shore power discussion for new cruise terminal), is that low sulfur fuel combined with scrubbers to reduce emissions make shore power unnecessary.
At least eight U.S. ports have shore power facilities: Halifax, Juneau, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Vancouver, and many port officials disagree with the naysayers position. As reported by Maritime Executive:
Port of Seattle – “Nothing compares to the benefits of zero emissions by connecting the vessel to shore power and shutting down the vessel’s engines while the ship is at the dock,”
Port of Los Angeles – “Even with low sulfur fuel, ships remain one of the largest sources of pollution in our area, and low sulfur fuel for ships still contains 1,000 ppm sulfur, compared to an average 30 ppm sulfur required for automobile fuel.”
Port of Oakland – “It’s critical that we reduce (ship) emissions as much as possible, particularly while at berth. This is important to the port, its neighboring communities and the region.”
For more information, check out the Moving Forward Network Shore Power Collection.