Mobile power socket supplies container ships at the Port of Hamburg with shore power quickly and flexibly

What was needed: A flexible power supply at the harbour quay, independent of where the ships dock.

Requirements: Flexible energy supply, safe, fast and compact movement of heavy cables on the quay

Sector: Shore power supply

Success for the customer: The iMSPO enables the precise movement of the shore power connection to the berth of ships. Safety, efficiency and cost-effectiveness at the harbour are increased.

An ocean-going vessel has the electricity requirements of a small town. When it is in port, this demand is generated by on-board diesel generators, with the result that ports are among the top producers of greenhouse gas emissions. The Port of Hamburg is also working to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions at its terminals.

This is changing with shore-side power supply, where the ship is supplied with electricity via a connection on the quay. Container ships equipped for shore-side power supply have a cable drum on board that allows two cables to be connected to the quay. But what happens if the positioning of the ship-side cable drum and the connection on the quay do not match?

The Port of Hamburg was also confronted with this problem. Choosing a suitable location for a permanently installed shore power socket is almost impossible. Ships of different sizes and configurations dock at the berths at high frequency, and these are planned flexibly on a daily basis for efficient loading and unloading. Stationary shore connections on the quay restrict the connection area and the extension length is limited.

At the same time, the movement of the large cables on the quay is sluggish and inefficient, and the cables can quickly wear out as they are pulled across the floor or become tripping hazards when lying on the floor.

A flexible system therefore had to be found for the implementation of the shore power supply that also fulfils the requirements of IEC/IEEE 80005-1, Annex D. Annex D defines mechanical and electrical specifications, safety protocols and procedures for testing high-voltage shore connection systems in container terminals.

The igus Mobile Shore Power Outlet (iMSPO) is the first mobile "socket" that can be used to connect ships at any point along the quay over a length of up to 400m. Container Terminal Hamburg (CTH) relies on three of these systems, which move along the quay on travels of 300, 150 and 110m.

The modular and configurable systems can be frequently found in container, cruise, RoRo and omni terminals. At the CTH, an iMSPO on a specially manufactured steel structure uses the free space above the terminal. The system was developed specifically for limited space above the flood wall and where free access is required for the emergency exit on the quay. The elevated position for the power supply and the moving parts of the trolley with the socket box (socket box trolley) always ensure sufficient distance from the ground and from people working there. In addition, the design requires no consideration of fenders and ensures smooth operation above critical areas of the terminal.

Rail elements run through the steel structure of the iMSPO, in which the mobile trolley with the socket box is installed. A roller energy chain designed for long travels and heavy loads moves within the rail system and ensures the safe and reliable guidance of the power or motor cables along the quay, such as the chainflex motor cables CFCRANE. An E4.56 energy chain also allows for cable guidance on the last part towards the panel while chainfix strain relief have been attached to the cables for a longer service life. Optional Sensor technology monitors the condition of chains and cables.

As soon as a ship has moored at the CTH, the iMSPO is moved to the mounting point. The protective cover of the socket box swings open, the ship's cables are connected, the protective cover is closed and locked for safe operation. All processes can be operated via a single control unit. The iMSPO has also been tested on the basis of IEC/IEEE 80005-1, a safety standard for high-voltage shore connection systems.

A ship can be connected to shore power in less than 15 minutes, with no more than two people being required on the shore side. All in all, this gives the Port of Hamburg full flexibility while reducing its operating, installation and maintenance costs.