by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 11:30 AM ET, Tue June 18, 2024
PortMiami officially has shore power.
Cruise ships visiting the port can now plug in for electricity, which means they dont have to use their engines and burn fuel while docked. This can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and cut down on noise.
The port can provide up to 16 megawatts per ship, with the power coming from individual Florida Power and Light substations at each terminal, according to the Miami Herald.
While docked, the amount of electricity one cruise ship will use is equivalent to the power consumption of roughly 10,000 households for one day.
Executives from five major cruise companies were on hand for a celebratory event on Monday, per the Miami Herald: Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Group, Virgin Voyages, Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises.
Shore power has been my personal dream and initiative, says Daniella Levine Cava, mayor of Miami-Dade County. Shore power is a great example of progress in tourism and clean energy converging. Together, we are creating jobs, expanding our economy and preparing to meet the dynamic needs of tomorrow. ?
Carnival Conquest became the first ship to plug into landside electrical power in Miami. Next in line to try out the new service are Royal Caribbean Internationals Icon of the Seas, Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady, Norwegian Cruise Lines Joy, and MSC Cruises Magnifica. The port hopes to connect 21 individual vessels to shore power by the end of this year for a total of 350 vessel calls.
Carnivals executives said they were thrilled to be able to connect to shore power in Miami. The company achieved its 2030 shore power goal seven years early in 2023 and, now, two-thirds of its fleet is capable of connecting to shore power.
"Using shoreside electricity to power our ships in port is an integral part of our global strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimize our environmental footprint," says Josh Weinstein, chief executive officer of Carnival Corporation & plc. "It's been over 20 years since our company first pioneered shore power for the cruise industry, yet adoption remains limited to just 2% of cruise ports worldwide. We applaud PortMiami for having the vision to recognize shore power as vital to the future of our industry and the planet, and for being at the forefront of their peer group in delivering this capability to cruise ships."
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