Sustainability Language

Energy & Transition

Cold ironing

Supplying ships at berth with shore-side electricity so auxiliary engines can be switched off, cutting port emissions and noise.

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Definition

Cold ironing is the practice of connecting a berthed ship to the landside electricity grid and shutting down its auxiliary diesel engines. It eliminates at-berth emissions of particulate matter, sulphur and nitrogen oxides, reduces CO2 (depending on grid mix) and cuts noise; the name recalls the ship's iron engines going cold.

References

Overview

What it means

It is the main near-term measure for cleaning up port air quality while shipping transitions to zero-emission fuels.

How it is used

Mandatory for certain vessel calls at California ports and required at major EU ports for container and passenger ships under the AFIR/FuelEU framework from 2030, following earlier EU provisions for shore-side electricity infrastructure.

Why it matters

Berth emissions disproportionately affect port-side communities, making cold ironing both an environmental and an environmental-justice measure.

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