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On May 27, Cruise Port Shore Power B.V. (CPSP) received the gold igus vector award for an integrated mobile shore power solution. In a nutshell, this solution makes it possible to quickly, flexibly, and efficiently connect ships docking at the Wilhelminakade in Rotterdam to the power grid. When the ships depart, the connection can be quickly disconnected, after which the pier reverts to a publicly accessible area. The innovative motion technology thus addresses a specific societal and industrial challenge.
Every two years, igus presents the Vector Awards for the most interesting, exciting, unusual, and innovative applications in which plastic plain bearings and cable chain systems are successfully utilized. The awards are presented by a jury of experts in four categories: gold, silver, bronze, and green.
This year, the Golden Vector Award was presented to Cruise Port Shore Power B.V. for a so-called ‘integrated mobile shore power solution.’ Shore power is electricity supplied to ships from shore when they dock in a port. This type of power will be mandatory starting in 2030 for all ships weighing more than 5,000 metric tons, but the necessary reliable connections are already in place in several ports. It is a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to the conventional, polluting diesel generators that were previously used on ships and at docks to power the ship’s electrical system.
Providing shore power on the Wilhelminakade in Rotterdam—where CPSP is located—is no easy task. This is because the quay is, in principle, open to the public. Facilities designed to supply shore power to cruise ships while they are docked must therefore not obstruct public access. CPSP therefore sought a solution, which was ultimately developed by igus in collaboration with Powercon. The solution consists of a 230-meter-long channel running parallel to the harbor side. An electrically powered trolley runs along this channel, on which a large power outlet is mounted: the igus Mobile Shore Power Outlet, or iMSPO for short. The iMSPO provides shore power that is generated almost entirely by wind and solar energy. Because it can move 230 meters along the quay, the connection can be precisely positioned in front of the point on the ship where the electrical connection is located.
After positioning, the Wal.E. is driven over the trough, and one end of a thick cable is routed to the ship, while the other is connected to the connector interface. When the ship departs, the cable is disconnected at both ends, the Wal.E. is driven away, and the system, including the connector interface, retracts back into the channel. The channel is then covered with heavy plates, after which the pier is once again open to the public.
igus’s expertise and products can be found in a variety of applications. For example, the roller cable carrier used in the trough is also employed in harsh industrial environments such as cranes. The roller guide helps move the heavy cable bundle smoothly and reliably over long distances. In addition to power cables, the installation also includes fiber-optic cables and control cables for communication, monitoring, and safety control.
The jury praised the project for its sustainability, technical innovation, and practical applicability.
Igus is a German manufacturer of tribologically optimized plastics used to manufacture our machine parts. The range includes plain bearings, linear guides, cable tracks and cables; called motion plastics. In Belgium, we serve more than 3,000 customers operating in a wide variety of industries. With the online tools found on [...]
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