Cavotec shore power unit selected for simulator

Ships' crews need to sharpen their skills from time to time, and we're delighted to be involved in a new training facility in Sweden - the first of its kind anywhere in the world - where mariners will be instructed in how to connect ships to shore power.

Chalmers University of Technology has installed a shore power connection simulator on former bulk carrier MS Fryken in Gothenburg. Staff from Chalmers University will train captains and crew new to shore power, as well as provide instruction for staff on vessels which already use the technology.

The construction of the simulator is in part a response to shore power requirements set to be introduced by the Swedish Transport Agency, and in part to meet the growing use of shore power by shipping lines which are increasingly seeing the benefits of switching off their ships' engines in port and connecting to shore power. The training course is mandatory for all personnel who handle shore power systems.

Shore power - also known as Alternative Maritime Power (AMP), cold ironing, High Voltage Shore Connection (HVSC) - is the process of connecting ships in port to land-generated electrical power. This allows ships' crews to switch off vessels' diesel-fired engines, thereby reducing emissions in ports and surrounding communities.

The simulator - fitted with a Cavotec AMP connection mechanism - will be used to train crews in how to connect their vessels to the high voltage cables needed to power ships in port.

The simulator shows crews how ships are positioned in relation to shore power units, and how to safely connect cables to ships, which involves correctly connecting 2-3 Megawatt cables with land-based power sources.

Our Swedish readers can read more about the simulator here. And you can see one of our AMP systems - AMP Mobile - in action at the Port of Los Angeles here.