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

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", which can be used to connect ships at any point along the quay over a length of up to 400 metres. The Container Terminal Hamburg (CTH) relies on three of these systems, which move along the quay over distances of 300, 150 and 110 metres.

The modular and configurable systems are frequently used in container, cruise, RoRo and omni terminals. At the CTH, an iMSPO is used on a specially manufactured steel structure that utilises the free space above the terminal. The system was developed especially 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 carriage with the socket box (socket box trolley) always ensures sufficient distance from the ground and from personnel 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, into which the mobile trolley with the socket box is installed. A rol e-chain designed for long travels and heavy loads moves within the rail system and ensures safe and reliable guidance of the power or motor cable along the quay, such as the chainflex CFCRANE motor cable. An E4.56 energy chain also enables the cable guide on the last piece towards the panel, while chainfix strain reliefs have been attached to the cables for a longer service life. Optional sensor system can also monitor 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.

The connection of a ship to shore power can be realised in less than 15 minutes, while no more than two people are required on the shore side. All in all, this gives the port of Hamburg full flexibility while reducing its operating, installation and maintenance costs.