Scaleable Shore Power for Passenger Vessels

As passenger vessel traffic increases and new electrified vessels come into service, the demand for reliable shore power grows, pressuring ports to expand infrastructure while reducing emissions. The EU mandates that by 2030, all container and passenger ships over 5,000 gt must connect to shore power at Trans-European Transport Network ports. However, scaling grid-based shore power systems to meet energy demands is challenging due to high costs and grid capacity limitations.

Large passenger vessels require significant power while docked, straining the system. Smaller vessels, with more modest power needs, can benefit from alternative solutions like methanol-to-hydrogen reforming. This technology generates hydrogen onsite, reducing emissions without relying on the grid. It offers a practical solution for smaller vessels and can be used as a containerized shore power system or installed onboard.

Methanol-to-hydrogen reformers eliminate 99% of EPA-regulated pollutants and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85% with green methanol. This approach can ease grid demand and optimize shore power use, but policy needs to support flexible, modular solutions for smaller vessels. The maritime industry must adopt scalable alternatives quickly to meet decarbonization targets by 2030.

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