ABB has won an order from Portsmouth International Port to supply a shore connection solution for visiting ferries and cruise ships, as part of the UK port’s Sea Change project to design, build and operate a shore power system across its three busiest berths.
The installation will serve two ferry berths – each with five connection points – and an additional berth shared by ferries and cruise ships. The system is scheduled for installation in late 2024 and expected to be operational by the mid-2025.
ABB’s shore connection allows vessels to turn off engines while at berth, cutting CO2 emissions for the vessels calling at the Portsmouth International Port by an estimated 20,000 t/yr from 2027. This will significantly improve air quality in the harbour area while helping the port to realise its long-term environmental ambitions.
Stephen Watkyns, Technical Director Portsmouth International Port, said: “As the UK’s largest and best-connected municipal port, we are committed to meeting the highest environmental standards and have set ourselves the target of reaching net-zero by 2030 and becoming the country’s first zero-emissions port by 2050. ABB’s shore connection solution will help support these ambitions. Crucially, for the people of Portsmouth, it will have a hugely positive impact on air quality in the port and surrounding areas.”
ABB’s scope of supply for the system comprises a 16MVA ACS6080 drive with shunt filter, MV switchgear, power factor compensation, transformers, e-houses, cable management systems, and automation. In addition, ABB will provide installation, cabling and commissioning services, while Portsmouth International Port will benefit from a three-year maintenance agreement.
Marcus Martelin, Head of Decarbonisation Services, ABB Marine & Ports, added: “Through its Sea Change project and ambitious emissions-reduction targets, Portsmouth International Port is taking a proactive approach to environmental sustainability. To be selected as technology provider for this UK Government-funded project is a privilege and reflects our reputation as a trusted provider of shore connection capabilities for cleaner port operations.”
As part of the project, the port’s biggest customer, Brittany Ferries, will be introducing two new LNG-electric hybrid ferries from 2025 which will be the world’s largest vessels of this type. Alongside Portsmouth International Port and Brittany Ferries, ABB will join a consortium of academics, marine specialists, and several UK innovative technology SMEs have been brought together to deliver the project. The University of Portsmouth, MSE International, B4T, Iotics and Swanbarton will all contribute technologies and expertise that will support Sea Change, making this an attractive and scalable solution which can be used by ports in the UK and abroad.
Sea Change is part of the Zero Emissions Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) competition, which was announced in February 2023, funded by UK Government, and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK. As part of ZEVI, the Department for Transport allocated over £80m to 10 flagship projects supported by 52 organisations from across the UK to deliver real-world demonstration R&D projects in clean maritime solutions. Projects will take place in multiple locations from the Orkney Isles to the southwest of England.
ZEVI is part of the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK Shore), which focuses on clean maritime technologies that can be scaled rapidly to decarbonise the UK’s domestic maritime sector.
Image: Portsmouth International Port (source: ABB/JLA)
