Scanphase, leveraging extensive expertise in the Marine industry, specializes in providing top-tier, cost-time efficient 3D laser scanning solutions tailored for vessels necessitating the installation of Alternative Maritime Power (AMP) systems. Our digital survey process meticulously captures and visualizes all areas of interest, generating highly accurate 3D models essential for the seamless design and installation of AMP systems.
Alternative Maritime Power (AMP) stands as an environmentally conscious measure aimed at mitigating air pollution stemming from diesel generators aboard ships. By utilizing shore-based electric power as a substitute, AMP reduces harmful emissions that would have otherwise been released during the maintenance of essential vessel functions while docked. Ships typically need to keep their engines running to power lights, heating, cooling, and other critical systems, resulting in adverse environmental effects such as increased air pollution, heightened noise levels, and vibrations within the port area.
Implementing AMP during port docking obviates the necessity of utilizing ship engines (running on diesel), significantly curbing emissions and consequently fostering a cleaner and healthier port environment. This marks a significant stride toward sustainable maritime practices, aligning with environmental regulations and promoting a greener future.
Alternative Maritime Power (AMP), also known as Cold Ironing or shore-to-ship power (SSP), involves the provision of electrical power from the shore to a ship while it is docked, allowing the ship to shut down its main and auxiliary engines. This process ensures that essential functions such as emergency equipment, refrigeration, cooling, heating, lighting, and other vital systems can receive a continuous and reliable electrical power supply while the ship undergoes cargo loading or unloading.
The historical origin of the term "cold ironing" can be traced back to the era when ships predominantly used coal-fired engines. During a ship's docking at a port, the need to feed the fire in these engines ceased. Consequently, the iron engines would gradually cool down and eventually reach a completely cold state, thus giving rise to the term "cold ironing" within the maritime industry.
Alternative Maritime Power (AMP) installation
Shutting down main engines while in port continues as a majority practice. However, auxiliary diesel generators that power cargo handling equipment and other ship's services while in port are the primary source of air emissions from ships in ports today, because the auxiliaries run on heavy fuel oil or bunkers. Cold ironing mitigates harmful emissions from diesel engines by connecting a ship's load to a more environmentally friendly, shore-based source of electrical power. An alternative is to run auxiliary diesels either on gas (LNG or LPG) or extra low sulphur distillate fuels, however if noise pollution is a problem, then cold ironing becomes the only option.
Alternative Maritime Power (AMP) or Cold ironing is a practice of supplying electrical power to ships from the shore while they’re docked. This way ships get to turn off their auxiliary diesel engines, reducing 95 % of air emissions. The other 5 % is used during the roughly 30 to 40 minutes it takes to plug (and then unplug) the vessel to the power source at berth. What is more, this alternative allows shipowners to save on fuel costs.
At present, there are four different variations in the Alternative Maritime Power (AMP) that is provided from the port to a ship or a tanker:
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11000 Volts of AC (Alternate Current)
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6600 Volts of AC
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660 Volts of AC
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440 Volts of AC
Cold ironing, while delivering undeniable environmental advantages, represents a technologically intricate system encompassing various critical elements:
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Electrical Infrastructure at Ports: The implementation of engineered and integrated electrical systems tailored to suit diverse port configurations is essential.
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Electrical Infrastructure on Ships: This involves retrofitting existing ships or incorporating advanced electrical infrastructure in newly constructed vessels to seamlessly connect with shore power.
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Connection and Control Solutions: Systems ensuring personnel safety and uninterrupted power transfer, encompassing secure connections and efficient control mechanisms, are fundamental components.
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Onboard Power System: A comprehensive onboard solution comprising power equipment essential for establishing a seamless connection between the ship and the shore-side power point.
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Automated Power Transfer Equipment: Equipment facilitating automated power transfer, enabling the ship's load to transition smoothly between the ship's power plant and the shore-side power source.
As the shipping industry gradually recovers and readjusts to normal operations, the demand for supporting container ships with Alternative Maritime Power (AMP) at ports is expected to rise. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, approximately 80% of global trade relies on maritime transport, with 60% of this trade involving container shipments. This underscores the critical role that AMP plays in enhancing sustainability and reducing environmental impact within the maritime sector, further substantiating its increasing importance in the industry's future landscape.
Alternative Maritime Power (AMP) laser scanning
Alternative Maritime Power (AMP) power cable
Scanphase collaborates with naval companies and field specialists, offering high-quality services to shipping companies across European ports (Portugal, France, Italy, Spain, Malta, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Turkey, ...) and Spanish ports (Valencia, Algeciras, Barcelona, Las Palmas, Bilbao, Santander, Tarragona, El Ferrol, Huelva, Cartagena, Avilés ...) as well as those in North Africa (Morocco).