Electric cranes, LNG-based intra-terminal vehicles (ITVs), ‘cold ironing’ and responsible waste management mechanisms are some of the proposals listed out in the master plan for the Vizhinjam container transshipment terminal project as part of developing it as a thoroughly ‘green’ port.
The Integrated Port Master Plan Report details some of the steps to be taken to ensure reduced emissions, and pollution that can severely affect the port operations and the nearby areas in the long run. For instance, ships will not use their own fuel while docked. Instead, electricity etc will be provided by the port. This practice, known as ‘cold ironing’, will significantly reduce chances of pollution.
‘’This concept avoids the use of the ship’s engines which burn heavy fuel oil and replaces it with alternative sources of power for a berthed ship. Electrical plug-ins will be provided along the berths for ships while they are berthed. It has been observed that this technology has shown an average reduction of 90 per cent in Nitrogen oxide (NOx), Sulphur oxide (SOx) and particulate matter (PM) per vessel call in ports where it is implemented,’’ says the master plan. The port will have fully-electrified rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) and quay cranes instead of the conventional diesel-operated ones. ‘’These RTGs provide significant reduction in fuel consumptions as well as emissions (both air and noise). Several Asian, European and North American ports have either converted from diesel RTGs to electric RTGs or are planning to convert over next few years,’’ according to the master plan.
Additionally, vehicles used inside the port - the port fleet - will run on LNG or would be efficient low sulphur diesel vehicles. The Intra-Terminal Vehicles (ITVs) comprise the majority of vehicle movement within a container terminal and the proposed port fleet will provide a considerable reduction in emissions compared to a diesel engine fleet, it is estimated.
In future, the fleet will also include hybrid and electric vehicles. The port is designed to be the deepest in the country, enabling it to handle vessels up to 18,000 TEU (Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit). When it comes to emissions, the bigger vessels are ‘cleaner’ than the smaller ones, say, ships of 8,000 TEU, proportionate to their cargo.
The port will also extensively use IT and ITES to reduce queuing of ships and idling of port equipment to further reduce energy wastage. The master plan, in fact, recommends the establishment of a performance evaluation system at the port to monitor fuel economy, emissions and overall performance.