Miami Cruise Port Debuts Shore Power

PortMiami has begun offering shore power capabilities. This week, the world’s busiest cruise port announced that up to three docked cruise ships can switch to shore-based electricity, helping vessels save fuel while minimizing harmful emissions.

It is the first major cruise port on the US East Coast to provide shore power connections at five cruise berths.

Florida Power and Light built terminals that generate up to 16 megawatts. They’ve been designed to meet the needs of docked vessels that consume 8 to 13 megawatts. That’s a lot of electricity, roughly the daily demand of 10,000 households, but it’s a small percentage compared to the entire city of Miami’s consumption. With over 199,000 households, each ship represents 5% of Miami’s overall utilization.

In an interview with the Miami Herald, PortMiami Director, and CEO Hydi Webb assured the public that supporting the electric needs of cruise vessels won’t compromise the city’s supply. “People outside the port won’t be impacted. We’re not taking away from anyone else,” she said.

Aside from minimizing emissions and the consumption of fossil fuels, shore power availability appeals to environment-conscious consumers. It will also help the port reach its goal of reducing its carbon footprint by 50% in 2030 and 100% by 2050.

Carnival will be the First

Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) will be the first to plug into PortMiami’s new power grid. Its vessel, Carnival Conquest, has been selected for the inaugural connection. 

Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy expressed support in a press release, saying, “This is an important milestone for our hometown and we’re proud to support Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and all county and port officials for their amazing partnership in bringing shore power to PortMiami.”  “We continue to implement important initiatives that have kept us ahead of our ambitious goals to reduce emissions, and this new shore power capability will allow our ships to rely on the electrical grid to power our ships while in port,” she concluded.

Sixty-seven percent of the CCL fleet (64 vessels) is shore power-ready, which means the cruise line has more shore power-capable ships than its competitors. Three more CCL ships will be equipped with the technology in 2024, while another 30 of its vessels will be equipped to receive shore power in the next few years.

Executives from Royal Caribbean International Group, Norwegian Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages, and MSC Cruises also attended PortMiami’s announcement and showed their support.

Last week, the Port of Seattle declared that all its docked vessels must switch to shore power by 2027, three years earlier than its original 2030 timeline.