PortMiami Shore Power Goes Live
Cruise ships are not exactly the most fuel-efficient means of transportation. They are, in fact, energy-hungry behemoths that can devour the daily power equivalent of 10,000 households – and this is while docked in port. Even while berthed, cruise ships require electricity for lights, refrigeration, operating equipment, and other functions.
It was with great aplomb, therefore, that the Cruise Capital of the World – PortMiami – recently celebrated the inauguration of its new shore power capabilities. At a cost of $125 million, the port unveiled five oversized plug-in terminals, three of which can provide power at any given time to a cruise ship at dock.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, PortMiami Director Hydi Webb, and Congresswoman Frederica Wilson led the June ribbon-cutting ceremony, joined by federal officials and representatives from five major cruise lines.
“As mayor, shore power has been my 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 Mayor Levine Cava, who has made it her goal to cut the county’s carbon emissions in half by 2030. “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 PortMiami shore power system allows cruise ships to turn off their fuel-guzzling engines and plug into landside electrical power while docked, significantly reducing emissions and noise. By switching to shore power, emissions can be reduced by up to 98 percent.
This latest advance to sustainable infrastructure in Miami is the result of a partnership between Miami-Dade County, Carnival Corporation, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Royal Caribbean Group, Virgin Voyages, and Florida Power & Light. The collaboration made PortMiami the first major cruise port on the U.S. eastern seaboard to offer shore power capability at five cruise berths. In the coming year, 21 cruise ships will be outfitted for shore power, with more than 350 vessel calls expected to plug into the system.
“As we continue to move forward with growing the Port, we do so in a smart and future-ready manner,” said Hydi Webb, PortMiami Director and CEO.
The launch of shore power at PortMiami is part of Miami-Dade County’s broader mission to operate one of Florida’s most active seaports in a way that supports both economic development and environmental sustainability; part of the shore power’s appeal is to younger passengers concerned with the environmental impact of cruise ships. The port is now undertaking a $4.2 billion capital improvement program centered around NetZero efforts. Mayor Levine Cava emphasized the long-term benefits of the current initiative. “It’s the equivalent of taking 7,500 cars off the road,” she said.
PortMiami is among Miami-Dade County’s largest economic engines, contributing $61 billion annually to the local economy and supporting more than 340,000 jobs. For the new system to work, the port is providing up to 16 megawatts of power. The first cruise ship connected was Carnival’s Conquest, to be followed by Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas (the world’s largest cruise ship), Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Joy, and MSC Cruises’ Magnifica.
