Since December 2023, an industry expert group consisting of shipowner, port and terminal representatives has been discussing the development of an onshore power (OPS) standard for dry bulk carriers. The industry group was initiated by DNV GL with the objective of providing a set of general requirements for a shore power supply system for bulk carriers to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The IEC would then further detail these in a new ship-specific annex for bulk carriers in IEC/IEEE 80005-series. The decision over the location of the cable management system (CMS), which can be on shore or onboard the ship, is the most challenging topic in the group’s discussion. Shipowners want the CMS to be located onshore, arguing that this will make more economic sense given that the number of ships outranks the number of berths. They further argue that this is the case for all existing OPS standards, with the exception of container vessels. Ports and bulk terminals argue that the cost of installing CMS-dedicated cranes in ports to reach the sockets onboard (which can be very high up on bulk carriers) is very significant and should be factored in. They also point at the major operational challenges involved in positioning the CMS onshore, including the dusty environment, which will have a deteriorating effect on any moving equipment. Due to the determination shown to date by the shipowners’ representatives, the prevailing opinion leans towards positioning the CMS onshore. As decisions in the industry group are taken by consensus, there is still an opportunity for ports and terminals to substantiate the sector’s arguments. This is why IAPH has teamed up with the International Dry Bulk Terminals Group, calling upon dry bulk ports and terminal operators to provide factual and detailed input on why the CMS should be installed onboard ships, similar to container vessels. Any line of argument supported by evidence would be very welcome, and necessary for the sector to alter a decision that may have important implications for (bulk) ports and terminals in the future. Please send your comments to our technical director Antonis Michail.
Image credit: Port of LA
