Blount Island shore power to cut ship fuel use, maintenance costs
Installation engineers observed a demonstration of the new shore-power equipment during their final walkthrough Oct. 14 at the Marine Corps’ slipway in Florida. Major electrical equipment is in place and has passed testing. Engineers are scheduling training as preparations continue to bring it into service.
Military Sealift Command estimates shore power could reduce the cost of supplying electricity to berthed ships by 20% to 30% compared with onboard generation. The estimate accounts for auxiliary engine fuel, maintenance and labor and depends on local electricity and fuel prices.
Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southeast puts the project cost at roughly $4.5 million. The system will serve one berth along the installation’s 1,000-foot slipway on the St. Johns River.
The upgrade supports Blount Island Command’s work to maintain, modernize and distribute service-managed equipment and supplies for afloat and ashore programs. That work keeps forward-positioned assets ready for issue to Marine forces worldwide.
“We’re increasing installation capability,” said Yesenia Lizasuain, a facility planner with the installation’s engineering branch. Planning estimates show generators aboard some maritime prepositioning ships can burn more than 4,000 gallons of fuel a day.
Reduced auxiliary engine use also reduces exhaust at the pier in the lower St. Johns River basin. The benefits of shore power vary with each vessel’s power demand and time at berth.
A red, high-capacity rail-mounted crane overlooks the installation’s five-berth slipway, where service members, civilians and contractors load and offload equipment and supplies. Designed for MSC ships that routinely use the slipway, the shore-power system could also support other vessels, Lizasuain said.
“We can support power to their ships and potentially other vessels, too,” she said.
Berthed ships use electricity for lighting, air conditioning and refrigeration to help preserve cargo and maintain safe living and working conditions aboard. Shore power will supply that electricity from the installation, reducing reliance on onboard generators.
NAVFAC Southeast has overseen construction, checking work against project specifications and coordinating with the installation. Crews ran cables underground, mounted brackets beneath the pier and installed transformers and switchboards. They also improved drainage.
Justin Ciszek, site project manager for a Jacksonville-based contractor, led the walkthrough and demonstrated a main breaker capable of handling thousands of amps. He also provides quality control.
Ciszek served 20 years in the Air Force and retired as a master sergeant after overseeing aircraft production cycles.
“As a contractor, I always have the military’s best interest at heart,” Ciszek said. “I hold myself to the standards, just like when serving active duty in the military—we’ve all been out here constantly identifying and overcoming challenges and being adaptable.”
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