Port of Oakland achieves 94% shore power record, boosting cleaner port operations

In the first half of 2024, the Port of Oakland set a new record with 94% of ships plugged into the seaport’s electric grid, demonstrating a significant increase in shore power usage.

Shore power refers to the practice of ships plugging into an electric grid at the wharf while docked. This allows the ship to turn off its diesel engines, to achieve near-zero vessel emissions while at berth.

According to Port of Oakland, The rate of ships plugged into the Oakland Seaport electric grid averaged 94% the first half of the year. By comparison, the shore power plug-in rate for all of 2023 was 85%. Thanks to increased ship plug-ins at Oakland, the air is cleaner, the port highlighted.

“Shore power is the single most effective way to reduce vessel emissions when a ship is in port,” said Port of Oakland Environmental Programs and Planning Director Colleen Liang.

“We appreciate the ship owners retrofitting their vessels for shore power. We also thank the terminal operators for coordinating and providing labor to physically plug in the ships that call Oakland.”

In May, the Port achieved a record 99% ship plug-in rate. Shore power usage has been above 91% since November of 2023. The Port continually maintains and improves its shore power system, so it is ready to deliver power when ships call.

The Port of Oakland is advancing its shore power capabilities with plans to install mobile shore power outlets, making it the first port in the nation to adopt this technology.

These mobile outlets are expected to provide vessels with greater flexibility for connecting to the electric grid at the dock, addressing challenges with aligning ships to stationary plugs.

This initiative also underscores the port’s commitment to innovation and its ongoing efforts to reduce emissions from maritime operations.

Last year, the port signed the Green Shipping Corridor Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Port of Yokohama.

The Ports of Oakland and Yokohama plan to share their best practices on a variety of projects that reduce carbon emissions including developing low-carbon and zero-emissions cargo handling equipment.