# Reduction Potential of Gaseous Emissions in European Ports Using Cold Ironing
## 10 Potential Barriers for Cold Ironing Implementation  
There are several barriers potentially challenging the implementation of cold ironing in European ports, which include the following [12]:  
1. Technical and logistics: the introduction of cold ironing technology requires significant investment in infrastructure and equipment, installing power supplies, transformers, and cables; this can be a complex and time-consuming process, requiring the involvement of multiple stakeholders, including port authorities, ship owners, and energy companies,  
Figure 5: Emissions savings achievable by using cold ironing according to EU25 electricity production mix and the corresponding average emission factors.  
Funding and financing: cold ironing can be a costly investment, and funding the necessary infrastructure and equipment can be challenging; ports and ship owners may need to work with governments, financial institutions, and other stakeholders to secure it. According to the literature, the total cost of retrofitting a ship with shore-side power equipment can range from 0.2 to 2.0 MEUR/berth, which demonstrates the importance of the local complexity of the connection between grid and berths,
3. Standards and regulations: cold ironing is a relatively new technology, and there are currently no standardized guidelines for its implementation; this can make it difficult for ports and ships to define required equipment and infrastructure and ensure that the system is operating safely and efficiently [13],
4. Limited availability of shore power: cold ironing is not widely available in all ports and ships, which can make it difficult for ships to plan their routes and schedules and limit the overall benefits of its use [9; 14],
5. Interoperability: different countries and ports have different standards, regulations, and infrastructure for cold ironing, which can make it difficult for ships to use the technology across ports; it is a significant challenge for shipping companies that operate in multiple countries and regions,
6. Lack of awareness: some ports and ship owners may not yet be completely familiar with the technology and its benefits and may not be motivated to invest in it, which can be a significant barrier to the implementation of cold ironing,
7. Grid infrastructure: some ports may not have the necessary power grid infrastructure to support the large power needs of cold ironing; this can make it difficult to implement the technology,
8. Environmental regulations: cold ironing requires a large amount of energy, which can be derived from fossil fuels if renewable sources are not sufficient to cover the need; this can be a significant challenge for ports and ships that are looking to implement it in compliance with environmental regulations and targets [15],
9. Safety: cold ironing systems can be vulnerable to power failures, power surges, and other issues that can affect the safety of ships, ports, and cargo; this can be a significant concern for ports and ships and can limit the overall benefits,
10. Technological progress: cold ironing technology is still in the development phase, and there are continuous advancements in the technology, which can be adopted in the future, such as hydrogen-based and other forms of alternative maritime power that could offer even greater emissions reduction benefits; therefore, ports and ships must be prepared to continuously update and improve their systems to stay competitive and maximize the benefits.