Omexom Spain, the brand of VINCI Energies Spain specialized in solutions for the energy transition, has launched OnShoreBox, a solution designed for the deployment of containerized substations in OPS (Onshore Power Supply) infrastructures, the system that allows ships to connect to the electrical grid during their stay in port and turn off their auxiliary engines, thereby reducing atmospheric and acoustic emissions in the port area.
The awarding of the OPS infrastructure projects at the ports of Tarifa and Algeciras has consolidated the deployment of this solution, conceived to provide a standardized, scalable, and adaptable response to the decarbonization requirements of the maritime-port sector, in line with European objectives in this regard.
OnShoreBox has been designed according to international reference standards, particularly the IEC/IEEE 80005 series, and adapts to applicable national regulations and the specific needs of each site, project, traffic, and port type. The solution responds to a clear demand from the market: to simplify and standardize OPS infrastructures without losing the flexibility needed to adjust to the conditions of each terminal.
With OnShoreBox we manage to simplify the design without compromising on a high capacity for adaptation and without increasing costs, thanks to a standardized base configuration," said Edgar Meseguer, director at Omexom Spain.
Although each project presents technical, operational, and implementation particularities that complicate standardization, OnShoreBox starts from a modular and scalable base configuration on which tailored solutions are developed, without increasing the overall complexity of the installation. Unlike other market alternatives based on reused maritime containers, OnShoreBox is developed and manufactured specifically for each project. Omexom Spain builds its own module, allowing precise adjustments to the dimensions, configuration, and specifications to meet the technical requirements of the installation and the space limitations of each terminal.
The solution is flexible and adaptable to a wide variety of OPS infrastructures, suitable for different types of ships such as ferries, cruise ships, or container ships. Its configuration allows for future expansions in response to increased electrical demand and, thanks to its design prepared for lifting and transport, facilitates the relocation of the installation when necessary.
OnShoreBox operates as a "plug & play" solution, as it arrives at the port fully integrated, wired, and factory-tested. The module includes transformers, a converter, medium voltage cells, a control system and protections, in addition to auxiliary ventilation and air conditioning systems and finalized mechanical assembly, which reduces startup times at terminals.
From a regulatory standpoint, the solution facilitates compliance for ships with the emission reduction requirements outlined in the FuelEU Maritime regulation and incorporates design criteria aligned with European requirements regarding fluorinated gases, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2024/573. In those ports with strong urban integration, these installations represent a substantial improvement in air quality and acoustic conditions, generating direct benefits for the health and well-being of the community.
In parallel with the development of the projects for Tarifa and Algeciras, Omexom Spain is working on the deployment of OnShoreBox at the ports of Vigo, Pasaia, and Alicante, with commissioning expected before the end of 2026. The extension of this technology to five Spanish ports in a single exercise reflects the progress of the national port sector in adopting electrical supply infrastructures for ships, one of the priority lines of the strategy for decarbonizing maritime transport in the European Union.