NYK to deploy 38 shore-power capable vessels by 2009

Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) will deploy 38 ships of its container vessel fleet with Alternative Maritime Power technology over the next several years at a cost of $22 million.

The AMP technology allows a vessel at berth to shut down onboard diesel power generators and connect directly to a shore-side electrical power supply.

Utilizing shore power while at dockside significantly reduces and almost eliminates the vessel's emission of gases, which contain pollutants such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur oxide and particulate matter.

The Port of Los Angeles, one if not the only port where the AMP system can be used, is supporting the initiative through the development of infrastructure necessary for the ships to ?lug in.?On Jan. 12, 2005, the port? governing board approved reimbursement to NYK in the amount of $810,000 for the development of an onboard electrical system for connecting into shore-side power and for the implementation of the system on the NYK Atlas.

The port? board affirmed the transfer of the money in March.

The NYK Atlas operates between Asia and the West Coast of North America. The vessel is participating in AMP testing at NYK? terminal at the Port of Los Angeles, which is managed by Yusen Terminals Inc.

Following the lead of the NYK Atlas, the first NYK vessel built from the keel up to utilize AMP, 20 new ships on order will be delivered with the AMP capability. In addition, 17 ships in service will be retrofitted with AMP technology during their regularly scheduled inspections.

The first ship to be retrofitted will be the NYK Apollo, which will enter dry dock in November. The company expects to have more than 30 of the AMP capable vessels in service by the end of 2009.

In addition to the AMP technology, eight of the 8,600-TEU containerships that NYK has on order will be equipped with electronically controlled engines to further reduce air emissions and leak-preventing hulls to protect the marine environment. The AMP initiative allows vessels to be powered by shore-supplied electrical power while at berth.