PortMiami recently celebrated the launch of shore power, enabling cruise ships to turn off their engines and connect to landside electrical power while docked. This initiative aims to reduce emissions and noise by providing electricity for lights, refrigeration, operating equipment, and other vessel functions when ships are berthed.
“As Mayor, I vowed to protect our environment; shore power has been my personal dream and initiative. We embarked on this journey in 2021, thanks to an innovative partnership with our major cruise line partners and Florida Power & Light Company,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “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.”
The project represents a collaboration between Miami-Dade County, Carnival Corporation, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Royal Caribbean Group, Virgin Voyages, and Florida Power & Light Company. PortMiami is now the first major cruise port on the U.S. eastern seaboard offering shore power capability at five cruise berths. In the coming year, 21 cruise ships will be equipped for shore power connections in Miami. The seaport expects more than 350 vessel calls plugging into the shore power system.
“We are committed to being a sustainable global gateway,” said Hydi Webb, PortMiami Director and CEO. “We thank our Mayor, County Commissioners, and port partners for their continued support of our resilience initiatives.”
By connecting to shoreside electricity and switching off their engines, cruise ships can reduce emissions by up to 98 percent. The annual emission reduction from one terminal’s connection to shore power is estimated to be equivalent to removing 7,500 cars from the road.
Miami-Dade County’s mission includes operating one of Florida’s most active seaports in a manner that supports economic development and sustainability. PortMiami has implemented a $4.2 billion capital improvement program focused on NetZero efforts.
