Overview

Cabin ships are inland navigation vessels that are available to passengers as a hotel for the entire duration of the journey, including the time spent in the inland ports visited. They are therefore usually referred to as river cruise ships. The combination of ship operation and hotel operation results in a high demand for electrical energy, which is mainly required for air conditioning, the kitchen and for water treatment. This energy is taken from the on-board power supply. During the journey, the on-board network is supplied with electrical energy from generators powered by combustion engines. During idle times, the generators shall continue to run in order to maintain hotel operations. This also applies to the generator drive (combustion engine). This generates noise and exhaust fumes not only for the passengers and crew of the ship causing the noise, but also for the people on the neighboring vehicles and for the residents on land. Such disturbances have now been banned in the majority of ports, as they can be avoided by supplying the hotel operation with suitable electrical power from the shore. The electrical shore connections specified in this standard serve this purpose. As river cruise ships are operated throughout Europe, the standardization of such connections should be sought at European level. Furthermore, it shall be possible to establish the shore power connection easily and to disconnect it again after use. Particular importance shall be attached to the safety of people and equipment. The necessary technical and safety requirements are contained in this standard. CEN/TC 15 cooperates with CLC/TC 64 in the preparation of standards for electrical shore power connections; this concerns this project as well as EN 15869-2.

Document: references other documents

Responsible national committee

NA 132-07-01-01 AK - Electrical shore connections for inland navigation vessels  

Responsible european committee

CEN/TC 15 - Inland navigation vessels