Electricity Waits at the Berth, but Ships Refuse to Connect and Continue Polluting
With the establishment of new ports, the Israel Ports Company (IPC) installed a Cold Ironing system to allow docked ships to switch off diesel engines. However, due to a lack of regulation and economic incentives, shipping companies rarely use the infrastructure.
With the establishment of the new ports – the Bay Port and the Southern Port – the Israel Ports Company (IPC) installed a Cold Ironing system at the berths, allowing docked ships to connect to the onshore power grid and turn off their engines.
Despite the innovative nature of this technology and its clear environmental benefits, no shipping company is currently interested in connecting to electricity in Israel. The IPC urges ports to actively promote the use of this technology, emphasizing its strategic, national, and environmental importance.
Technology and Potential
Cold Ironing enables ships to dock and shut down their polluting diesel engines by connecting directly to the shore power grid. This technology has become a mandatory standard in leading ports across Europe, Asia, and North America as part of strict international regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution in populated coastal areas. When the new ports were established in 2021, the IPC integrated this infrastructure into the construction project; however, in practice, it is rarely used.
Reasons for Non-Compliance
Several factors hinder the adoption of shore power in Israel:
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Lack of Legal Mandate: Unlike ports in California or China, Israel lacks legislation requiring shipping companies to connect to shore power. Without regulatory enforcement, it is difficult to convince conservative shipping companies to adopt complex operational changes.
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Technical Requirements: Connection requires ships to be equipped with specific electrical systems, which are not present on all vessels. Furthermore, the industry is shifting toward liquid hydrogen (LH2) power, for which Israel currently lacks the necessary infrastructure.
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Economic Viability: For shipping companies, connecting to the grid is not profitable, and they prefer to operate auxiliary engines while docked. Ports cannot lower tariffs, as current rates only cover operational costs.
The Role of the Regulator
The Shipping and Ports Authority (SPA), under the Ministry of Transport, is responsible for setting tariffs and promoting regulation. To date, this has not been completed, leaving a cost gap that ports cannot bridge on their own.
IPC CEO Pinchas Tsuria stated: "This move allows ships to turn off diesel engines while docked, leading to a dramatic reduction in local pollutant emissions and greenhouse gases, directly contributing to air quality and public health. The system also significantly reduces noise and vibration nuisances in the port's vicinity."
In April 2025, a ZIM container ship successfully connected to the system at the Bay Port to complete DNV international certification. Since then, the system has remained largely unused.
The Ministry of Transport responded: "The Ministry is working through the SPA to promote shore power connections as part of efforts to reduce emissions. Professional calculations submitted by the SPA are currently being reviewed, after which an appeal will be sent to the joint price committee of the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Finance to establish a tariff."
