Asyaport has become the first port in Türkiye to offer shore power to container vessels: an important milestone for decarbonizing maritime logistics in the region. Türkiye's largest container terminal today, Asyaport, is further advancing its commitment to decarbonizing supply chains with its latest installation of Onshore Power Supply (OPS).
This new system will provide electricity to berthed vessels, reducing their carbon emissions and environmental impact. This system has the capacity to simultaneously supply high-voltage power to 2 mainline vessels and 3 feeder vessels. The newly installed onshore power capability is an addition to the terminal’s existing portfolio of features that reduce terminal emissions. Asyaport already runs exclusively on electrified crane operations to efficiently and sustainably position containers across the terminal.
The Power of Turkish Engineers and Domestic Production
The onshore power project, ongoing for over three years, owes much of its success to the dedicated efforts of Turkish engineers and Asyaport's technical teams. The project's construction and design were primarily completed using domestic and national equipment with a total project budget of $10 million. As a result of the long-term feasibility and infrastructure studies conducted by the Turkish teams, the terminal's onshore power supply has been successfully implemented.
Commenting on the onshore power project, Asyaport Technical Services and Planning Manager Besim Dönmez stated “We are very proud to be involved in this project which is a testament to the capabilities of Turkish engineering. The installation of onshore power at Asyaport will allow us to support our carrier clients in reducing emissions during cargo operations, and further develop Tekirdağ as a key hub for sustainable global trade.”
The Project Launched with MSC OSCAR
The MSC OSCAR currently operating on MSC’s TIGER service connecting trade between Asia and Europe became the first vessel to use the new system. The MSC OSCAR is one of the largest container vessels in the world with a capacity around 20,000 TEU and standing 396 meters in length. During the 48-hour operation, the ship’s energy needs at berth were successfully met with onshore electricity from the OPS system.
Asyaport’s Commitment to Sustainability
Since its establishment, Asyaport has been committed to improving the environmental footprint of the terminal and air quality for the local community. The terminal has been generating electricity for its own consumption through solar energy systems. The port has a total of 3,020 solar panels, with a total DC installed capacity of 1,289.03 kW. Currently, 6% of the port's total energy consumption is provided by these solar panels. In line with Asyaport’s commitment to empowering the community of Tekirdağ, the terminal has also provided financial support to vocational high schools and the city’s university.
In the future Asyaport aims to further improve its environmental footprint and advance economic development in the Tekirdağ region. Feasibility and project studies are ongoing to produce energy from renewable sources for terminal operations. In the coming years, this project will be implemented to establish a renewable energy supply chain from production to consumption. Additionally, Asyaport remains committed to furthering advancing economic growth and the strategic importance of Tekirdağ for regional and global trade.
Source: MSC
