By
Alex Smith |
Cruise Terminals A and F will be the first facilities at PortMiami to be equipped to provide shore power, Miami-Dade County has announced.
Cruise Terminal F, which is undergoing an expansion, is currently operated by Carnival Cruise Line, while Cruise Terminal A is operated by Royal Caribbean Group. The two cruise companies have agreed to launch phase one of the programme for connections at the terminals. The phase will require each party to implement improvements on the electrical grid and supply lines, shoreside equipment on the pier and shore-to-ship connections on the cruise ship.
The Environmental Protection Agency's Diesel Emissions Reduction Act has also announced a $2 million grant allocation for phase one.
"In line with our top priorities of compliance, environmental protection and the health, safety, and well-being of our guests, employees, and the people in the communities we touch and serve, we are thrilled to have been one of the first cruise lines to partner with Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Miami-Dade County in the shore power programme at PortMiami," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. "With PortMiami being our busiest homeport and our long-standing relationship with both Miami-Dade and PortMiami, it's a natural fit to work together to bring this power source to the ‘Cruise Capital of the World’."
PortMiami is working with other cruise line partners to ensure that their designated berths also have shore power connectivity as part of phase two.
"Our efforts to make PortMiami 'shore power ready' are moving full steam ahead thanks to the incredible work of the PortMiami team, Florida Power and Light Company, and the commitment of Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Group," said Cava. "Our goal is to continue ensuring PortMiami is a leader in sustainability and to shape a more resilient cruise industry that prioritises the protection of our environment. We are proud of this big step and look forward to working with other cruise companies for the second phase of this project to make the ‘Cruise Capital of the World’ more sustainable."
Both cruise lines have committed to retrofitting vessels within their fleet to utilise the new shore power capability once it is installed at the port.
“Shore power connectivity allows us to reduce our emissions to near zero while connected in port,” said Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. “In partnership with Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Miami-Dade County, we’re happy to help bring this technology to our hometown, the Cruise Capital of the World, as part of our sustainability journey and our single-minded focus to be partners to the communities we visit and call home.”