Jakarta – PT Solusi Teknologi Samudera (STS) and PT Pelindo Jasa Maritim (PJM) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in an investment cooperation to develop onshore power supplies (OPS) in the Pelindo port environment worth IDR 1.5 trillion (USD 97 million), as part of the effort in decarbonising the nation’s ports and supporting the government’s green port program, according to Pelindo in an official statement, Wednesday (19/10).
Shipping activities in Indonesian waters account for 19% of Indonesia’s annual greenhouse gas emissions, according to Pelindo. As the largest archipelagic country in the world, Indonesia has 2,459 ports. To reduce the country’s greenhouse emissions and achieve net-zero emissions by 2060, Indonesia is committed to converting these ports to conform to the “green port” standard.
“Today we signed an MoU as a follow-up to the company’s commitment to reduce carbon (emissions) towards the creation of ports that are sustainable and environmentally friendly,” said Prasetyadi, President Director of Pelindo Jasa Maritim Subholding.
Emission reduction from ships at berth
The majority of greenhouse emissions from ports come from docked ships. If a ship that docks uses 100% of electrical energy through Onshore Power Supply (OPS), the reduction in greenhouse emissions that occurs will be very significant, especially NOx exhaust gas which can be 300 times more harmful to climate change than CO2 emissions according to the United Nations (UN) official calculations on CO2 equivalent (CO2e) and published in the journal Nature.
“Port transformation to a green port standard cannot be separated from the use of the Onshore Power Supply (OPS) system. OPS is a system that allows ships to use 100% of electrical energy from ports that provide OPS instead of using auxiliary engines that still use diesel fuel (MFO or HSD),” said Latif Gau, President Director of PT STS.
A day earlier, Pelindo Jasa Maritim signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indonesian National Shipowners’ Association (INSA) witnessed by the Director General of Sea Transportation, Arif Toha Tjahyagama, President Commissioner Marsetio and President Director of PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero) Arif Suhartono and board of directors as part of the B20 event at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center.
The signing was continued with the submission of a circular letter from the Director General of Sea Transportation to INSA regarding the use of onshore power connection at ports for ships sailing in Indonesian waters.
The success of OPS development in Indonesia requires close support from the government in implementing appropriate regulations to encourage shipowners to accelerate the transition to the OPS system and use 100% of electricity from ports. (Hartatik)
Banner photo: Muara Karang port, Jakarta. 8 April 2021 (nsh/tanahair.net)
