Tanker makes history with first zero-emission port operations

The Port of Gothenburg and Swedish tanker operator Terntank aim to make shipping and environmental history on Friday 11 February when the company’s new product tanker, Tern Island, makes its first arrival in port. It is expected to become the first tanker to conduct zero-emission port operations, demonstrating the combination of battery and shore power that is expected to become more common in the future.

The newly built tanker is the first vessel of its kind to be fitted with a battery powered system. The batteries provide the energy for maneuvering into port and for docking. Once it arrives at the dock, it will also be the first tanker to use shore power. The shore power connection was developed together with the Port of Gothenburg, which is said to be the first port in the world to be able to connect tankers to the electricity grid.

“Today we reached a milestone Tern Island will become the world’s first land-based tanker to successfully enable zero-emission port operations,” said Claes Möller, Chief Executive Officer of Tärntank Ship Management.

Designed by Terntank and Kongsberg Maritime CM AS, the 15,000 dwt tanker was delivered to China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Yangzhou, Dingheng Co. on December 15, 2021. The design includes numerous features that make it one of the most environmentally friendly and low-emission ships in the world to operate.

To enable zero-emission port operations, the ship is equipped with a hybrid power system comprising a battery pack, shore power supply and a DC-Link system, which is expected to be able to balance its auxiliary power consumption while underway to reduce port operations by 99 percent. The hybrid drive system also allows peak loads to further reduce emissions. The battery packs provide an energy reserve for power generation, limit unnecessary paralleling of generators, and provide a blackout protection feature that can keep the power grid alive in an emergency.

The main engine, boiler and auxiliary engine are also designed to reduce environmental impact and ensure safe operation on biofuels. The ship is equipped with a dual-fuel engine that is 100 percent compatible with biofuel, which the company expects to run Tern Island on liquefied biogas or liquefied natural gas. By combining an optimized hull and rudder design with dual fuel capability using 30 percent biogas, Tern Island is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 70 percent and nearly eliminate emissions of sulfur oxides (99 percent), particulate emissions (99 percent) and nitrogen oxides (97 percent) compared to a conventional ship of a similar size.

With a length of 482 feet, the product tanker has a loading capacity of 16,500 cubic meters in 14 epoxy-coated tanks. It is operated commercially by Finland’s North European Oil Trade (NEOT) in the Baltic Sea region and is pooled with other Terntank vessels.

the Tern Island will be joined by a sister ship, which is also to be equipped with the battery power system. Terntank also has options to build two more vessels as part of the 2019 construction contract.