Damen Oranjewerf expands shore power offering for docked vessels

Damen has fitted an Elma Systems shore power device, capable of providing energy at 60Hz, as well as 50Hz output to vessels alongside at Oranjewerf.

Different frequencies of electrical energy are one of the main issues with shore power. Throughout North America, electrical grids operate on 60Hz AC “single phase,” whereas in most other places, 50Hz AC is the standard. This dichotomy extends to ships, as well, which use 50Hz or 60Hz depending on their application.

In the coming decades, this will likely make it difficult for vessels to plug into shore power everywhere, despite a requirement to do so in many countries. Ports across the north of Europe are rushing to install shore power capability that will allow docking vessels to plug into the grid.

“Previously, we were able to provide shore power with 50Hz,” explained Commercial Manager Damen Shiprepair Oranjewerf Jeen van der Werf. “However, we get a lot of offshore, navy and fishing vessels come to the yard for work, and many of these vessels operate on 60Hz.”

The 60Hz vessels have been forced to use diesel generators while alongside at Oranjewerf. “We’re always keen to play our part in advancing maritime sustainability so, when we heard about a 35% temporary subsidy for sea-going vessels from the RVO (Dutch Enterprise Agency) for shore power installations, we were very happy to take part with an investment of our own,” van der Werf added