Ship-to-Shore Power
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Shore Power Solutions for Ports, Terminals, and Vessels
Reduce emissions. Meet compliance. Power safely.
Shore power, also known as cold ironing, refers to supplying electricity from the port to a vessel while it’s docked. This allows the ship to shut down its onboard diesel engines and operate on cleaner utility power instead. With growing regulatory pressure from CARB, IMO, and other governing bodies, shore power is no longer optional. It’s becoming essential infrastructure for modern port operations.
At ESL, we provide custom-engineered shore power solutions built for the unique needs of each installation—trusted by commercial ports, military shipyards, and cruise facilities across North America.
Who We Serve
We support engineering, procurement, and operations teams responsible for specifying, integrating, and maintaining shore-to-ship power systems.
Our clients include engineering and design firms, procurement teams, and facilities managers working on commercial and defense-related projects. Whether you’re planning a new terminal or upgrading existing infrastructure, ESL provides the expertise and equipment to support your goals.
From initial planning to long-term maintenance, we collaborate with teams across every phase of development.
Get a Custom Shore Power Quote
Tell us about your project scope, compliance needs, and technical requirements. We’ll deliver a tailored quote—plus expert guidance to help you choose the right solution, avoid delays, and stay ahead of regulatory changes.
Custom Shore Power Capabilities
All ESL shore power systems are custom-configured, engineered to meet application-specific requirements while supporting long-term performance and safety.
Capabilities include:
- Permanent and Portable Installations
- Safety-Interlocked Connectors
- Corrosion-Resistant Enclosures
- Emergency Stop and Lockout Systems
- Expandable Configurations for Future Growth
Browse Past Projects in Our Product Catalog
Engineered for Reliability, Built for Compliance
ESL solutions are designed to meet or exceed international marine power regulations:
- CARB Shore Power Rule
- IMO MARPOL Annex VI
- NEC 555 Compliance for Marine Facilities
- NAVSEA QPL-24368 qualification
- IEEE 80005 Compliant for Shore Power Connections
With built-in test points, clear field labeling, and proven safety interlocks, our systems reduce risk and streamline operations at the dock.
Solutions by Vessel & Facility Type
We offer engineering expertise and tailored designs for:
- Commercial Shore Power
- Military Shore Power
- Cruise and Container Ship Connections
- Ferries and Ro-Ro Vessel Shore Power
Each project is supported by experienced engineers and application-specific recommendations to ensure safety, uptime, and compliance.
Why Shore Power with ESL?
We don’t just supply equipment—we help you specify, design, and deploy with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shore power, also known as cold ironing, Onshore Power Supply (OPS), or Alternative Maritime Power (AMP), allows a docked ship to plug into utility power and turn off diesel generators. This reduces fuel use, emissions, and noise while supporting compliance with environmental regulations such as the CARB Shore Power Rule and IMO MARPOL Annex VI.
Commercial container ships, cruise liners, Ro-Ro vessels, ferries, and military ships all benefit from shore power, especially in regions with emissions regulations or sustainability goals. ESL Power Systems designs shore power solutions specifically for each vessel and facility type.
In many regions, yes. Regulations like the CARB Shore Power Rule and IMO MARPOL Annex VI require certain vessels and ports to reduce emissions at berth. Shore power is one of the most effective ways to comply with these standards and future-proof your operations.
ESL shore power solutions are designed to meet or exceed: CARB Shore Power Rule, IMO MARPOL Annex VI, NEC 555 (National Electrical Code for Marine Facilities), NAVSEA QPL-24368 (US Navy Qualified Products List for MIL-C-24368 connectors), and IEEE 80005 (Recommended Practice for Shore Power Connections). Systems include built-in test points, clear field labeling, and proven safety interlocks.
MIL-C-24368 is the US military standard for naval vessel shore power connectors, defining requirements for single-pole plugs (MIL-C-24368/1) and receptacles (MIL-C-24368/2). Products must be NAVSEA QPL-24368 qualified for use in US Navy applications. ESL is NAVSEA QPL-24368 qualified and manufactures MIL-C-24368 plugs and receptacles in 500V and 600V configurations for US Navy, US Coast Guard, and NATO naval facilities.
Yes. Military customers include US Navy bases, US Coast Guard facilities, and NATO naval installations. Commercial customers include container ports, cruise terminals, ferry operators, Ro-Ro facilities, and bulk cargo terminals. With 30+ years of experience and over 300,000 connection points deployed, ESL provides custom-engineered solutions for both markets.
Power Your Port with Confidence
Avoid costly missteps and compliance issues. ESL delivers proven shore power solutions tailored to your port’s specs, emissions goals, and future growth.
