What condition is the ship in while in-port and on shore power?

When a ship is in-port and on shore power, it is referred to as being "cold iron." This term is used to describe a situation where the vessel is connected to the shore's electrical system, allowing onboard systems to function without relying on the ship's own generators. This is typically achieved when the ship is in port and not conducting operations that require its own power generation, resulting in reduced emissions and noise pollution while in harbor. This condition allows the ship to maintain essential services and provide comfort to crew and guests while decreasing fuel consumption.

The term "cold iron" emphasizes that the ship’s own engines are not running, akin to a "cold" status, and it essentially equates to a state where the ship's machinery is dormant or inactive while still powered externally. This contrasts with other conditions such as being underway, where the ship is actively sailing and requires the engines to be running. Similarly, being in standby mode does not accurately capture the complete dependence on shore power as seen with "cold iron," nor does it align with being in dry dock, which denotes repair or maintenance conditions rather than normal port operations.