Shore power needed now to curb marine port emissions

With the Government’s Net Zero Ports consultation now closed, Finning UK & Ireland is urging ports and shipping operators to act now to reduce emissions from berthed vessels, without waiting years for grid infrastructure upgrades.

The consultation, which closed on 27 June, proposes that ships docked for more than two hours should use low or zero-emission power sources instead of running onboard engines. But with seven of the ten largest ports in England and Wales now close to maximum grid capacity, this will take time and investment that many sites can’t afford to wait for. This is where temporary shoreside power can help

According to a 2024 Transport & Environment study, ships within 1.5 nautical miles of UK ports released over 1.46 million tonnes of CO2 in 2022, much of it while stationary. Temporary power solutions from Finning, including EU Stage V-compliant generator sets, offer a cleaner alternative to ships running auxiliary engines while docked.

Derek Wendel, General Manager for Energy & Transportation Aftermarket and Power Rental at Finning UK & Ireland, said: “Ports know change is coming, but they don’t always have the infrastructure to keep up. Not only is this leading to higher emissions at berth, it’s also slowing down planned electric services. Running ship engines at low load just to power onboard systems when docked isn’t ideal. It increases emissions and adds wear, meaning more frequent maintenance.

“Temporary shore power can address these problems by letting ports cut emissions now, without waiting for long-term grid upgrades. Our Stage V generators can cut NOX emissions significantly compared to an equivalent marine engine, and they’re ready to go in days, not years. It’s not just about future plans, it’s about what we can do next week or next month.”

Finning is also planning on trialling modular battery energy storage systems (BESS) for shore power, building on similar pilot schemes in Europe. These zero-emission systems can be quickly deployed where fixed shore power is unavailable. They offer rapid discharge when needed and can be trickle charged at cheaper tariffs when grid capacity is lower. They also operate silently, which is an advantage in urban or residential dock areas that often have noise limits during nighttime hours.

The company supplies a range of containerised generators between 75 kVA and 2,000 kVA, with full installation support including cabling, switchgear and transformers.

Derek added: “On top of these proposals, planned new regulations such as the UK Emissions Trading Scheme for domestic shipping start in 2026, so the pressure is growing for action. Temporary shore power can be a key stepping stone to permanent solutions, without locking operators into any single technology.”

In response to Maritime Journal’s follow-up to Finning UK & Ireland’s recent announcement on temporary shore power systems.
All responses can be attributed to Cheryl Griffiths, Technical Ops Manager, Finning UK & Ireland.

1. Could we have a few more details of this [from the release]: “Temporary power solutions from Finning, including EU Stage V-compliant generator sets, offer a cleaner alternative to ships running auxiliary engines while docked.”

When docked, ships typically use ‘hotelling’ loads, which rely on their onboard auxiliary engines to power things like lighting, air conditioning, and refrigeration. However, these engines are designed for use at sea and tend to run inefficiently at low load. This results in inefficiencies, higher emissions, higher fuel consumption and more frequent maintenance because of incomplete combustion and carbon build up.

Our generator sets are fully compliant with EU Stage V emissions regulations, which are the strictest available for non-road mobile machinery (NRMM). These rules set strict limits on nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) compared to older marine engines, many of which are still operating under the more lenient IMO Tier II requirements. Stage V generators are fitted with advanced emission control technologies, such as diesel particulate filters (DPFs), selective catalytic reduction (SCR), and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). These technologies work together to reduce emissions, making them ideal for urban ports or dockside environments where local air quality is a growing concern.

2. What size are these, how are they fuelled, what kind of installation work would be required to put them in, and why are they a cleaner alternative?

Finning supplies Stage V compliant generator sets ranging from 20 kVA to 550 kVA (prime rated). These generators support voltage outputs from 220V to 480V and are available at both 50 and 60 Hz. This is a flexible range that supports a variety of marine applications, from smaller workboats to larger vessels or terminal systems. The generators typically use ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD), although they can also run on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), which users should source from certified, sustainable sources, such as waste-based feedstocks under schemes like ISCC.

Installation of temporary systems is quick and straightforward. Once a site assessment has been carried out to confirm factors such as the available space, power demand and ventilation, the generators are delivered by truck or crane and positioned on a level surface or skid. They are then connected to the vessel electrically via switchgear or distribution panels. The fuel tanks are either onboard the generator, or are externally connected, and any exhaust or noise mitigation, such as acoustic enclosures can then be installed before the entire setup is verified to ensure compliance, grounding and emissions performance.

As a result, these generators produce much lower emissions compared with onboard marine engines. Stage V regulations cap NOx emissions at 0.67 g/kWh and particulate matter at 0.035 g/kWh. In comparison, many marine engines still fall under IMO Tier II standards, which have a much higher NOx emissions limit of 14.4 g/kWh and do not include any specific PM limits. When running at low loads in port, ship engines tend to produce even more unburnt hydrocarbons and soot, whereas Stage V generators are designed to produce fewer emissions across a broad load range.

3. Can Finning’s shorepower systems be integrated with future permanent infrastructure or alternative energy technologies, such as hydrogen or full electrification, without significant redundancy or cost?

Temporary shore power systems are modular and can be scaled or redeployed as needed, allowing ports to address the immediate emissions challenges without being tied into a single long-term setup.

Finning is planning to trial battery energy storage systems (BESS) for shoreside applications. These modular battery units can be deployed in hybrid setups, where they can be charged from the grid or from generator sets typically during the day and then discharged at night when zero-emission or low-noise power is needed.

The generator sets can also run on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) without engine modification. Operators should ensure the HVO used is certified and sourced from waste-based materials to maximise sustainability benefits.

Hydrogen is another area of interest and, although Caterpillar has engine options available that can run on up to 100 per cent hydrogen, the fuel still has its challenges. This includes storage, handling and safety requirements, which are more complex than diesel, and most ports also don’t have the infrastructure needed to run hydrogen.

4. What are the estimated cost implications for ports or vessel operators using temporary shorepower versus continuing to rely on ship engines or waiting for permanent grid-based infrastructure?

The cost of using temporary shore power can vary depending on the size of the installation, how long it’s deployed for, and the specific power needs. However, temporary systems can typically be deployed far more cost effectively than waiting for permanent infrastructure. A 2023 study by DNV, which assessed shore power readiness across seven major UK ports, found that grid connection upgrades could take up to 10 years and cost over £16 million.

By comparison, temporary solutions from Finning can typically be deployed within days and require no long-term capital investment. They are also available on a rental basis, can be scaled as needed and mean that operators don’t need to be locked into a single, permanent solution while they finalise long-term infrastructure.

There are also operational savings. Running a vessel’s auxiliary engines at low load while docked is less efficient and leads to increased engine wear and maintenance due to carbon fouling and incomplete combustion. Stage V generator sets are designed for these load profiles, helping reduce fuel consumption and service intervals.

Temporary shore power may also help ports and operators ahead of the planned UK Emissions Trading Scheme, which will include domestic shipping from 2026. This will place a direct cost on emissions generated while ships are docked.

5. Also, are we just talking about shorepower for the big vessels to use while at berth, or could it be extended to charging for smaller vessels working in the port?

Shore power doesn’t have to be limited to large vessels. In fact, smaller vessels such as pilot boats, harbour tugs, workboats, and hybrid and electric ferries, can all benefit from the same approach. Because the generator sets are modular, starting from as low as 20 kVA, they can be scaled to suit different vessel types and operational needs across the port environment.

This means ports can use temporary power to charge electric or hybrid vessels where permanent charging infrastructure doesn’t yet exist. Mobile charging stations can also be deployed to support maintenance operations, cargo handling, or vessel construction. These temporary solutions offer flexibility across locations and seasons, helping ports reduce emissions and support the shift towards electrification. As these technologies evolve, supporting smaller craft with low- or zero-emissions, off-grid energy sources will be just as important as meeting the needs of larger vessels.