IEC Sets Out High Voltage Shore to Ship Connection Standards

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has set standard for HV equipment onshore and aboard ship

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields.

For a variety of reasons, including environmental considerations, it is becoming an increasingly common requirement for ships to shut down ship generators and to connect to shore power for as long as practicable during stays in port. The scenario of receiving electrical power and other utilities from shore is historically known as “cold ironing”.

The intention of this standard is to define requirements that support, with the application of suitable operating practices, efficiency and safety of connections by compliant ships to compliant high-voltage shore power supplies through a compatible shore to ship connection.

With the support of sufficient planning, cooperation between ship and terminal facilities, and appropriate operating procedures and assessment, compliance with the requirements of this standard is intended to allow different ships to connect to high-voltage shore connections (HVSC) at different berths. This provides the benefits of standard, straightforward connection without the need for adaptation and adjustment at different locations that can satisfy the requirement to connect for as long as practicable during stays in port. Ships that do not apply this standard may find it impossible to connect to compliant shore supplies.

It is expected that HVSC systems will have practicable applications for ships requiring 1 MW or more or ships with HV main supply. Low-voltage shore connection systems are not covered by this standard.

The full spec can be purchased from IEC here.