First offshore pollution reducing vessel debuts soon

By Joshua Yousouph

Harboursandport: Lagos--- The first offshore pollution reducing vessel christened KL Sandefjord, with the ability to improve air quality by reducing pollution at port environments and also provide classification, technical assurance, software and independent expert advisory services to the maritime, oil & gas and energy industries is to debut soon.

KL Sandefjord

The vessel which has DNV GL’s Shore Power Class Notation, according to the company's Senior Vice President, Operation and Technical in K Line Offshore AS, Espen Sorensen, stated that with an on-board shore power installation tested and verified by DNV GL, the offshore vessel equipped for the future is ready to commence operation. 

Sorensen noted as result of the good cooperation enjoyed between the Bergen Port Authority and his company during this process, they have also decided to apply for the Shore Power class notation for the sister vessel, KL Saltfjord.

According to Espen, one of the important functions of this offshore vessel- KL Sandefjord is that when in the port, the vessel can shut down its engines and rely on a shore-based electrical supply for its needs at berth – the so called “cold ironing”. He also said “We are very pleased to receive this notation for our large and powerful anchor handler KL Sandefjord which reflects our commitment to ensure a cleaner port environment.”

Similarly, Jon Rysst, the Senior Vice President and Regional Manager North Europe, DNV GL, said “There is an increasing awareness of the impact of shipping emissions in ports and this is driving investments in cold ironing. This is leading to ports both requiring and incentivizing the use of alternative maritime power (AMP)”. He also added that with the Shore Power notation ship owners can easily document a safe interface between shore facilities and the ship, based on IEC standards.

Rysst also stated that as access to ports expands, alongside the rise of fully electric and hybrid vessels, cold ironing could soon become standard procedure in many ports around the world with a noticeable positive impact on air quality.

DNV GL’s KL Sandefjord offshore vessel is also set to reduce the level of pollution in the port environment. By tapping into an onshore electrical supply, vessels not only reduce their fuel consumption, but they also eliminate the associated emissions. This will have a marked improvement on the air quality in the port and surrounding environment, cutting PPM, NOx, SOx and reducing CO2 by using more efficient shore-based electricity. In combination with renewable energy sources, electrical supply can even result in zero emission operation for the duration of a vessel’s stay in port. In addition, it can free the engines for maintenance, reduce wear and tear, and limit noise.

DNV GL, a world’s leading classification society and a recognized advisor for the maritime industry, through the first Offshore Vessel- KL Sandefjord, has provided a shore power connection class rules which covers safety requirements for a vessel’s on-board electrical shore connection. 

The shore power notation ensures a safe and efficient way of performing the connection and disconnection of shore power. DNV GL also verifies compatibility between ship and port and provides recommendations for a well-defined future proof technical solution.

DNV GL has been operating in more than 100 countries with the purpose of safeguarding life, property and the environment, enables organizations to advance the safety and sustainability of their business, and enhances safety, quality, energy efficiency and environmental performance of the global shipping industry across all vessel types and offshore structures. They also invest heavily in research and development to find solutions, together with the industry, that address strategic, operational or regulatory challenges.