When a container ship is docked and being unloaded at port, it still needs to power onboard lights, refrigeration, etc. Traditionally, this power has come from auxiliary diesel engines onboard the ships.
However, in efforts to reduce port emissions, Cold Ironing is gaining widespread acceptance. The process of Cold Ironing is essentially “plugging in” the ship to shore-side electricity to power the vessel’s onboard systems.
Last year, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted regulations to require the majority of vessels at the state’s largest ports to stop using auxiliary engines and plug into shore-generated power. These new rules will be implemented gradually beginning in 2010.
If you want to learn more about how Cold Ironing is being used at North American ports, please visit the following
links.