E-power barge will cut cruise ship emissions in Port of Hamburg

Two Hamburg, Germany, based companies have come up with an alternative to plugging into shoreside power as a way to cut ships’ emissions while in port.

The Eckelmann Group, a specialist in maritime environmental protection, and supply and disposal logistics, and TUI Cruises have signed a memorandum of understanding that could lead to cruise ships getting their electricity from an “e-power barge” by the 2013 cruise season.

Essentially, the 80 m long by 11.5 m wide barge would have 300 cu.m LNG tank supplying gas-burning diesel generator sets producing up to a total 9 MW. The  300 cu.m tank would allow 100 hours of operation at full power.

It is foreseen that a contract for construction of the barge will be awarded this summer and that the project will involve an investment of around EUR 15 million.

March 28, 2012