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GREEN PORTS: VIEWPOINT
Is it possible to provide reliable, cost-effective, and low-emission power to ports? Robert Schluter of e1Marine believes the answer lies in methanol-tohydrogen technology – and has a plan to achieve change
WHY PORTS HOLD THE POWER
Robert Schluter Managing Director, e1 Marine
Due to the supply chain crisis, a light is shining on the underinvestment in ports. As a key player in the maritime industry, ports can improve the sustainability of the entire supply chain process. There is a growing need for ports’ dynamic energy demands to be met in an adaptive, flexible and expandable manner. This is coming in several forms, most notably through demands for greater sustainability, and global warming creating more volatile weather conditions that’s affecting the reliability of power in ports. Efforts have been underway to reduce ports’ Scope 2 and 3 emissions, but port operations, including the operation of vessels at berth, remain major contributors to local air pollution. The European Commission plans “to regulate access of the most polluting ships to EU ports and to oblige docked ships to use shore-side electricity” within its Green Deal. From 2025, all EU ports will be required to have cold ironing provision by the end of 2025.
There is also growing political pressure in North America and at many of the biggest ports in Southeast Asia to better regulate shipping emissions. Even though the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has adopted emission standards for diesel engines, it recently estimated that 40% of the nation’s major ports are in or near areas that have violated National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Additionally, approximately, one-third to one-half of the emissions come from vessels’ auxiliary diesel engines which are run while the vessel is at berth, when they require electrical power for services ranging from lighting to loading. The potential for progress is huge.
ADDING INFRASTRUCTURE TO MITIGATE EMISSIONS
Several ports have developed the infrastructure, regulations or incentives that help to mitigate shipping emissions in ports. However, it still remains relatively uncommon for all three to exist on a global
C L E A N S H I P P I N G INTERNATIONAL – Spring 2022
