"I am very pleased that we in Hamburg are taking an important step towards more air pollution control in the port with the the onshore power plant in Altona. I am pleased that we have a solution here that is designed in accordance with international technical standards and for all common on-board systems and ship sizes and can withstand continuous operation," said Michael Westhagemann, Senator for Economics and Innovation. "It would be great for other ports in Europe and worldwide to follow on this course."
Hapag-Lloyd's cruise ship Europa 2 can avail of the onshore power plant operated by the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) at the Cruise Centre Altona and get emission-free power on-board, a press release said Tuesday (June 23, 2020). The service provider DNV GL certified the ship for regular use of onshore electricity after extensive tests proved successful. All three cruise centres and large container terminals are to be equipped with onshore power connections as part of plans for its increased use in the Port of Hamburg. Hamburg Energie supplied the "Europa 2", which is currently in the port, with onshore power on 30 days accounting for the longest, continuous supply at the Altona power plant hitherto.
Step towards cleaner air
Expansion of onshore electricity capacities
The Hamburg Port Authority plans to set up more onshore power plants at two cruise terminals and three container terminals in the Port of Hamburg by 2025. Their plans also foresee upgrading berths for seafaring vessels and expanding the supply of environment-friendly electricity to inland waterway transport to achieve Hamburg's climate targets.
Onshore plant in Altona setting standard
Completed in 2016, the onshore power plant in Altona has been in regular operation since 2017. The plant is unique as it offers a power supply with two frequencies - 60 Hertz and 50 Hertz. Around 75 per cent of all ships are equipped with 60 hertz grids, but only a small number of countries operate their power grids on this frequency. Altona is setting a standard by offering both frequency ranges.
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