Methodology to Determine Electrical Power Required for Connecting Ships to Onshore Power Grids in Ports

The global shipping fleet uses vast quantities of fossil fuels and releases significant levels of pollution. Supplying ships moored at quays in ports with onshore power allows them to shut down onboard engines, cutting fossil fuel use and reducing emissions. This is particularly significant when ports utilize green electricity. Equipping ports to connect serviced ships to onshore power grids involves substantial investments, which must be carefully optimized. The aim of this article is to develop a methodology, grounded in probability theory, for determining the electrical power required to connect ships to onshore power grids in ports. The proposed methodology was developed and validated through a case study of container terminal operations. By applying this methodology and considering the conditions of ship service in ports, it is possible to estimate both the number of ships and their berthing durations at quays, as well as the electrical power required from onshore networks to connect the vessels. The results of this research may be of interest to port managers, terminal operators, shipowners, and other stakeholders involved in the development of onshore power grids for ship connections in ports.