cold ironing

Cold ironing, or shore power, is a system that allows ships docked in port to turn off their main and auxiliary engines, receiving electrical power from the land-based grid. This drastically reduces polluting emissions, both atmospheric and acoustic, produced by ships during loading/unloading operations or while berthed. 

Electrification:
Ships are connected to the onshore electrical grid through special infrastructure, providing them with the energy needed for onboard operations. 

Emission reduction:
By shutting down fossil fuel engines, greenhouse gas emissions, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter are eliminated, improving air quality and reducing noise pollution in port areas. 

Sustainability:
Cold ironing is an important step towards the decarbonization of the maritime sector and the creation of "green ports," in line with environmental sustainability goals. 

Economic benefits:
In addition to environmental benefits, cold ironing can lead to a reduction in operating costs for shipping companies, thanks to lower engine maintenance and lower fuel consumption. 

Applications:
Cold ironing is applied to various types of ships, such as cruise ships, ferries, merchant vessels, and cargo ships. 

Projects:
Many ports in Italy and around the world are implementing cold ironing, thanks to public and private funding, such as the NRRP (National Recovery and Resilience Plan).