Plug-in ships

Ships in Gothenburg Sweden pull into port and plug in. The system was pioneered over 8 years ago. Zeebrugge, Belgium, along with Long Beach and Los Angeles, are trying similar technology, which costs about $70,000 to $109,000 for each outlet. But shore-side electricity hasn’t yet replaced diesel oil or heavy bunker fuel. Only a few ships have plugs, not all use the same electrical frequencies,and bunker fuel is cheaper. And much dirtier.

Carbon dioxide emissions from shipping are about twice as high as from airlines.

Some airlines are slowing down or trying sails to cut fuel costs. Gothenburg turned to plug-ins to cut its problems from acid rain which has blackened its riverbeds and killed its fish.

Source: World Business Academy (www.worldbusiness.org)