Automation technology is reshaping how ports manage vessel electrification, with German motion plastics specialist Igus introducing a fully automated mobile shore power system designed to make ship-to-shore connections faster, safer, and more efficient.
Shore power — the process of connecting vessels to onshore electricity while docked — has become a key part of global decarbonisation strategies. But according to Dan Seeney, UK Shore Power OPS Solutions and Port Cranes Industry Manager at Igus, automation is the missing piece that will make large-scale deployment practical.
“Traditional shore power systems rely on fixed sockets and a lot of manual handling,” Seeney told the First Friday Club editors briefing. “As ships get larger, those sockets rarely line up with the vessel’s connection point. Workers are left hauling 20-kilogram-per-metre cables into position — it’s inefficient, unsafe, and expensive. Our automated solution eliminates that problem entirely.”
At the heart of the Igus Mobile Shore Power Outlet (IMSP) is the company’s proven energy chain system — a motorised cable management track used in industrial automation and port crane applications. The IMSP runs along the quay, automatically positioning the electrical outlet at the ship’s exact connection point. This means the vessel can berth flexibly, while the power supply travels to meet it.
Seeney said the approach brings a significant step-change in efficiency. “With a single track and transformer station, we can provide continuous coverage over 400 metres of quay. The system automatically deploys and retracts the power line, keeping the cable protected and tension-controlled at all times. There’s no need for multiple fixed sockets, and no need to redesign the quay for each vessel class.”
The automation also delivers major cost advantages. Igus’s internal studies show that a single fixed high-voltage outlet can cost up to $2 million to install once civil works and cabling are included. The IMSP’s track-based design reduces the number of hardwired connections, switchgear cabinets, and trenching required by as much as 80%.
In addition, the system’s control architecture is designed for reliability and predictive maintenance. Integrated condition monitoring tracks cable wear, mechanical movement, and environmental exposure, helping operators plan service intervals before failures occur. “We supply lifetime calculations and performance guarantees for every cable and chain,” Seeney said. “In heavy-duty port crane operations, these systems run 24/7 for up to ten years. For shore power, where movement happens only a few times a week, we’re expecting lifespans of 25 to 30 years.”
Installation flexibility is another benefit. The modular track can be mounted above fenders, recessed into new-build quays, or supported on steel structures in ports where flood defences prevent wall mounting — as demonstrated in a recent project in Hamburg.
Globally, Igus has 17 mobile shore power systems already operating and a further 30 due by year-end. Seeney believes automation is the only scalable way to meet tightening emissions standards without overhauling existing infrastructure.
“Ports want to decarbonise, but they also need systems that work automatically, safely, and with minimal downtime,” he said. “By applying our automation expertise from industrial machinery to maritime energy, we’re helping the industry make that leap.”
