PortMiami is shore power ready!

On June 17, 2024, a shore power installation was launched at PortMiami in Florida, one of the largest ports in the U.S.

Shore power allows cruise ships to turn off their engines and plug into landside electrical power while docked, resulting in reduced emissions and noise. When ships are berthed, they need electricity for lights, refrigeration, operating equipment, and other vessel functions.

“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,” Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County Mayor, commented.

“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.”

A partnership between Miami-Dade County, Carnival Corporation & plc, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Royal Caribbean Group, Virgin Voyages, and Florida Power & Light Company, PortMiami is said to be 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 outfitted for shore power and connect in Miami. The seaport will have more than 350 vessel calls plugging into the shore power system.

“We are committed to being a sustainable global gateway,” Hydi Webb, PortMiami Director and CEO, said.

“We thank our Mayor, County Commissioners, and port partners for their continued support of our resilience initiatives.”

Plugging into shoreside electricity allows cruise ship engines to be switched off, reducing emissions by up to 98%. The annual emission reduction estimate associated with the connection to shore power at one terminal is equivalent to the emission reduction associated with the removal of 7,500 cars from the road.