Cavotec’s emission-reducing Alternative Maritime Power for new container vessels

Alternative Maritime Power (AMP‘) specialist, Cavotec MSL, has won an order from Taiwan’s CSBC Corporation to supply four AMP‘systems for installation on four new-build container vessels.

“This order illustrates the burgeoning interest in AMP, and we hope that more operators will soon start to enjoy the considerable environmental and financial benefits of this simple, but innovative technology,” says Ottonel Popesco, Cavotec CEO.

AMP‘, or ‘cold ironing’, involves vessels turning off their engines while in port, and connecting to shore-side electricity, thus helping to reduce pollution in port areas and surrounding communities.

Yang Ming Marine Transport will install the systems on four 6,600 TEU container vessels to be built at the Kaohsiung shipyard in Taiwan. The ships are set for completion in 2010 and 2011, with delivery of the AMP‘ units expected to run from the end of 2009, until the beginning of 2011.

Once in service, these ships will be able to switch off their engines and plug into the local electricity grid at ports equipped to supply AMP‘, such as the Port of Los Angeles, and the Port of Long Beach, where a growing number of vessels use shore-side electricity.