Technical articles, project updates, event recaps, and regulatory insights from the REGBES team — on shore power, OPS standards, and the maritime energy transition.
A practical guide to IEC 80005-1, -2, and -3 — which standard applies to which vessel type, what the voltage and cable requirements are, and how to specify a compliant OPS installation.
Read more →The latest from the BlueBARGE EU Horizon Europe project — REGBES reports on development progress of the universal modular cable management system for offshore barge-to-ship power delivery.
Read more →REGBES presented the BlueBARGE barge-to-ship shore power concept at Offshore Energy 2024 in Amsterdam — showcasing the consortium, the system architecture, and the path to scalable offshore OPS.
Read more →A practical guide to IEC 80005-1, -2, and -3 — which standard applies to which vessel type, what the voltage and cable requirements are, and how to specify a compliant OPS installation at your port.
Shore power — or onshore power supply (OPS) — allows vessels to connect to the port grid while at berth, switching off their auxiliary engines and reducing emissions. But connecting a ship to a port grid is not as simple as plugging in a cable. The voltages, plug standards, and connection procedures vary by vessel type, and getting them wrong creates safety risks and equipment damage.
The IEC 80005 series was developed to standardise shore power connections across the maritime industry. It defines the technical requirements for the shore-side and ship-side equipment, the plugs and sockets, the interlocking and safety systems, and the communication protocols that ensure a safe and reliable connection.
IEC 80005 is a three-part standard — each part covers a different voltage class and vessel category. Knowing which part applies to your vessel is the starting point for any OPS specification.
IEC 80005-1 covers high voltage shore connections — typically above 1 MVA. It applies to larger commercial vessels including container ships, cruise ships, Ro-Pax vessels, bulk carriers, and tankers. The standard specifies the requirements for HV shore connection systems at voltages of 6.6 kV and 11 kV.
IEC 80005-2 covers shore connection systems specifically for inland navigation vessels — barges, river vessels, and inland waterway craft. It addresses the specific characteristics of inland ports and waterway berths, which differ from deepwater commercial ports in terms of infrastructure, vessel size, and connection geometry.
IEC 80005-3 covers low voltage shore connections — typically below 250 A per cable at 400V, 440V, or 690V. It applies to smaller commercial vessels and some offshore vessel categories where LV connection is sufficient. Also used for electric tugs, workboats, and smaller ferry operations.
All REGBES cable management systems and charging interfaces are designed to comply with the applicable IEC 80005 standard for the target vessel type. The Compact Mobile CMS and Modular Mobile CMS are configured to IEC 80005-1 for large commercial vessels. The Manual Charging Hub uses IEC 80005-3 standard connectors for smaller vessel applications.
For projects where standard selection is unclear — for example, mixed-fleet terminals serving both HV and LV vessels — REGBES provides system scoping support to confirm the right specification before manufacture.
