Long Beach port flips switch on ship-to-shore power

The Port of Long Beach inaugurated its first dedicated ship-to-shore power service during a Tuesday ceremony when the K Line container vessel Long Beach Bridge became the port's first ship to plug into shoreside electrical power.

It marks the start-up of an $8 million project that installed electrical power connections at the International Transportation Service Inc. terminal located on the port's Pier G.

Studies have shown that up to half of diesel emissions generated by vessels arriving at the port come from the running of auxiliary engines while at dock. Plugging in to the shoreside power allows the vessels to cut their auxiliary engines while still having power for such onboard loads as refrigerated containers, pumps, lighting, air conditioning and computers.

Shoreside power is a top environmental initiative under our Green Port Policy, said Harbor Commission President James Hankla in a statement. Because many ships burn unclean bunker fuel, shutting down their engines achieves major air quality improvements immediately. The port's long-term environmental plans call for the development of additional ship-to-shore facilities at other terminal throughout the port. 

Source: American Shipper