Swedish shipping company, DFDS Seaways, is set to get connected to onshore power supply (OPS) at three European ports, in a bid for a better working environment, both on board and ashore, and significant environmental gains.
DFDS will introduce OPS in the ports of Immingham, UK, Gothenburg, Sweden and Ghent in Belgium. The company will be trialling OPS initially, using six vessels that are in regular service to the UK and Belgium – Primula Seaways, Petunia Seawys,Magnolia Seaways, Freesia Seaways, Ficaria Seaways and Begonia Seaways.
Gurt Jakobsen, vice president, DFDS Seaways, toldPort Strategy: "The change to shore-based power supply requires investment in facilities in the ports as well as quite heavy investments in the ships.We have chosen the six ships that are best suited for it because they are sister ships that need the same refitting, and because they operate in these three ports and are intended to stay on the routes for at least the next five years."
He added: "It is important for us to participate in the development of new environmental techniques and equipments. We have previously invested in testing a so-called scrubber that can wash sulphur out of the exhaust gases. With the shore-based power project we want to test the efficiency of this equipment with regards to getting cleaner air and less noise in port areas and want to gain some experience and learn about OPS."
By connecting to OPS – shutting down engines while at berth and using quayside power supplies to operate functions onboard – 13,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide will be saved each year.
DFDS Seaways will invest around SEK 50m (US$7.5m) to prepare the vessels and will receive SEK 10m (US$1.5m) in grants from the EU as part of the Motorways of the Sea funding. The project is also being financially supported by Volvo Group Belgium, the Port of Ghent and the Port of Gothenburg.
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