Mobile Shore Power Installed at Port of Rotterdam
Mobile and sustainable shore power at the Port of Rotterdam cruise ship terminal
The city of Rotterdam is investing heavily in making the city and harbor area more sustainable. One of the key steps in achieving this was the modernization of the cruise terminal.
The problem: Diesel engines often continue to run so that ships docked in harbors can be supplied with electricity. CO₂, nitrogen and particulate matter emissions are blown into the air, and the engines also produce high noise emissions. The cruise terminal is close to Rotterdam's city center, which further exacerbates this situation.
For this reason, ships are now being equipped with the necessary connections and technology to be supplied with electricity via a shore power connection at the harbor. Harbors themselves must also be equipped with the right infrastructure to supply ships reliably, quickly, and flexibly.
The berthing position of ships along the quay frequently changes. The cruise terminal is extremely busy, with vessels of varying sizes docking throughout the day. The shore power connection hatch may also be located on either the port or starboard side of a ship. The shore power solution must therefore be highly flexible, easy to reposition, and quick to operate. Since people are present on the quay around the clock, the solution must also be space-saving and minimize cables lying on the quay.
The iMSPO Cruise, a socket that moves along the entire quay wall, allows the connection to the cruise ship to be repositioned quickly. The system is built around a 230-meter-long steel trough installed in a one-meter-deep trench beneath the quay. Inside, all power supply cables are safely guided in robust 5050RHD energy chains. These rol e-chains® move 12 chainflex® CF-CRANE motor cables along with various fiber optic and supply cables. Thanks to the cables' tight bend radii, the system requires minimal space while delivering up to 16 MW of power at 11 kV — enough to supply a small town of 15,000 to 20,000 inhabitants.
The iMSPO Cruise unit is positioned by remote control within the fully covered shaft, with the sockets lowered during travel. Once the desired connection point is reached, the shaft cover is removed and the sockets are raised. The transfer vehicle is then connected, supplying the ship with shore power. This entire process can be completed by just two operators in less than 15 minutes. The system complies with IEC 80005-1 standards. Installing it underground also enhances safety, as there are no exposed cables obstructing movement on the quay.
Like the cruise terminal itself, the shore power system is cooled using water from the River Meuse. A dedicated grid connection supplying renewable electricity was installed over 1.5 kilometers from Maashaven to Wilhelminakade. As cruise ships switch off their onboard generators in port, emissions are significantly reduced — leading to improved air quality and a quieter, cleaner environment for both the port and surrounding city.
