THE APL Singapura, a container ship belonging to the CMA CGM Group, has launched a cold ironing facility at the Terminal des Flandres in the Port of Dunkirk.
By plugging into an onshore electricity supply (also known as cold ironing), container ships calling at port can shut down their auxiliary engines while still getting the power they need, particularly in order to maintain controlled temperatures in refrigerated containers. This improves air quality and reduces noise pollution at the port.
Specifically, the technology ensures there are zero emissions of sulphur and nitrogen oxides and fine particles while ships are at berth.
The cold ironing system installed at the Terminal des Flandres will become fully operational during the first half of 2020.
ACTEMIUM, a consortium of two companies (Brest and Boulogne) was selected to carry out the works. These included the design and supply of the most powerful cold ironing system ever to be installed in Europe.
The system fits into six 40-foot containers, converting the public electricity supply for use by ships at port, with a capacity of 8 MW – enough to power nearly 1,000 homes.
The operation was co-financed by the Urban Community of Dunkirk, the Hauts-de-France region (via the European Regional Development Fund), and the Port of Dunkirk. The CMA CGM Group covered the cost of the equipment needed to connect the vessel.
Christine Cabau Woehrel, executive vice president in charge of industrial assets – CMA CGM Group, said, “Given CMA CGM’s steadfast commitment to installing more environmentally responsible solutions on board its vessels, the group supports cold ironing and we will continue to equip our fleet accordingly.
“We are ready to test this system with other European port authorities that are committed to using cold ironing at their container ship terminals, as the Port of Dunkirk has successfully done.”
