Ports of Auckland (POAL) has released the results of a study into the feasibility of using shore power for cruise ships berthed at Auckland.
Cruise ships were selected for the study as this industry has been proactive at addressing environmental issues over the past decade and these vessels are more frequently fitted with the on board infrastructure required, POAL) explained.
This, combined with high individual electricity demand while berthed, compared to other vessel types, is expected to increase utilisation and deliver the highest emission reduction return.
The study looked at the feasibility of a wide range of emission reduction technologies, including:
● Shore Power (grid supplied, local generation including renewables, hybrid).
● Fuel switching (methanol, LNG, low sulphur diesel).
● Land/barge based exhaust capture systems.
● Ship-based scrubbers.
Viable solutions were assessed against a range of social and environmental attributes in addition to whole of life cost. This holistic approach was adopted to provide a balanced assessment of the alternatives, with consideration of the stakeholder values.
The report recommended two options:
● Plan to implement shore power at one cruise berth in the next five years.
● Switching to 0.1% sulphur fuel.
“POAL has decided adopt the recommendation to plan for shore power. Shore power has an estimated total cost of $18.3 mill (± 30%) and the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 31%,” said POAL CEO Tony Gibson (pictured).
“We will not pursue fuel switching at this stage because the greenhouse gas reductions it delivers are marginal. While fuel switching would deliver a large reduction in sulphur emissions, this reduction is due to happen with the introduction of new international rules on the sulphur content of marine fuels in 2020,” he added.
This year POAL will carry out further work on shore power, including a detailed cost estimate, a cost-benefit analysis and an investigation of funding options.
Pursuit of this option will help POAL move towards its 2040 zero emission goals and support Auckland Council’s Low Carbon Auckland Strategy. The report has been provided to the Auckland Council Sustainability Office and Ports of Auckland will co-ordinate with Auckland Council as this project progresses, the port said.
Gibson said “We have a goal of becoming a zero emissions port by 2040, and shore power has the potential to make a significant contribution to achieving this goal. In New Zealand we are fortunate to have over 80% of our electricity generated renewably, which also gives us the potential to have world leading emissions reductions from shore power. I am very pleased to support this project to the next stage.”
