More ships than ever are switching to landside electricity at the Port of Oakland to cut emissions. According to the Port, 75% of all ships visiting in 2018 used so-called shore power. That was up from 68% the year before.
Specifically, 1,543 ships tied up in Oakland during 2018. Of those, 1,157 plugged into the landside grid to power onboard systems, turning off auxiliary diesel engines, limiting tons of diesel exhaust.
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What is more, shore power use achieved an all-time high of 82% in December, as the Port is cooperating with ocean carriers to increase plug-ins even more. In fact, California requires from shipping lines to use shore power at its six largest ports, including Oakland. Not all carriers have achieved the required level of usage yet.
Port of Oakland Environmental Planner Catherine Mukai, commented:
Shore power is the most effective way we know to reduce vessel emissions. We’re pleased because the trends are positive
Now, ships are connecting to the grid at Oakland’s marine terminals through large cables. Landside workers fasten the cables to electrical vaults on the docks. Vessels require electrical power at berth to run everything from lights to refrigerated cargo containers.
