Ro-ro and ro-pax operator Finnlines is to equip three vessels with Yara Marine’s shore power solution to reduce fuel consumption, emissions and noise in port. The two companies have signed a contract to install Yara Marine’s turnkey solution, which will enable the three ships to connect to the local power grid in port, switching to electricity rather than using auxiliary engines running on fuel. The installations are scheduled for completion in 2022.
The use of shore power by ships is particularly beneficial to portside communities, whose quality of life is affected by concentrated emissions generated by numerous vessels in port, as well as the associated noise and vibrations from ship engines. Ro-ro vessels and passenger ferries are suitable candidates for this technology due to their operational profile. As an early adopter of shore power solutions, Finnlines is following through on its commitment to meet customer demands for more environmentally conscious services.
“Finnlines is committed to providing sustainable and responsible transportation options in the Baltic and North Seas,” said Thomas Doepel, COO of Finnlines. “Our investment in smart technologies showcases our drive to reduce carbon emissions from our fleet and share our environmental performance with customers and stakeholders.
“By equipping these vessels with a shore-to-ship connection, we commit to our goal of reducing harmful emissions and noise while at port. This has a direct impact on quality of life for those present in areas close to our ports.”
Shore power is largely viewed as a way for the shipping industry to reduce its fuel consumption, meet increasingly stringent emissions regulations and transit to net zero emissions – particularly if the shoreside connection can supply renewable energy. Several government ministers and port authorities at the One Ocean Summit (held in France in February) signed a joint commitment for the electrification of ports by 2028, demonstrating clear industry recognition of shore power as a potential route to meet decarbonization targets.
However, setting up shore power solutions can be technically challenging, particularly in cases where operators are using two or three different systems on board, which may not be compatible with each other. Yara Marine’s turnkey shore power solution is designed to provide an answer to this issue, thereby reducing the complexity of installation and mitigating project-related risks such as fleet-wide installations. The company also provides after-sales and service capabilities.
“Yara Marine Technologies is keen to support cleaner and sustainable operations throughout the maritime industry,” said the company’s CSO, Aleksander Askeland. “We look forward to working with Finnlines to provide solutions that will maximize benefits across the board. We bring our extensive experience in planning and executing multiple vessel installations to this collaboration, and will be managing their needs for the lifetimes of the shore power solutions through our global after-sales service organization.”