Shore power has officially arrived at Port Miami, marking a significant advancement for the port and the cruise industry. Carnival Conquest, representing Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise company, is the first cruise ship to connect to landside electrical power at the cruise capital of the world.
Inaugural Event and Industry Partnership
A celebratory event was held to announce the milestone, with Carnival Conquest leading the way. This achievement results from a collaboration between Miami-Dade County, Florida Power & Light Company, and several cruise lines, including Carnival Corporation. PortMiami now offers shore power connections at five cruise berths, making it the first major cruise port on the U.S. eastern seaboard to do so.
Comments from Carnival Cruise Line
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, expressed pride in supporting Miami-Dade County’s efforts. “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 stated.
Carnival Corporation’s Shore Power Achievements
Carnival Conquest’s selection for this inaugural connection follows Carnival Corporation surpassing its 2030 shore power goal in 2023, seven years ahead of schedule. The company now leads the industry, with 67% of its fleet being shore power-capable, double the number of ports equipped to provide this service.
Reducing Environmental Impact
Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc, highlighted the environmental benefits, stating, “Using shoreside electricity to power our ships in port is an integral part of our global strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and minimize our environmental footprint.” He commended PortMiami for its forward-thinking approach to shore power adoption.
Benefits of Shore Power
Shore power allows cruise operators to switch off ship engines while in port and “plug in” to the local electric grid, significantly reducing emissions by up to 98%, depending on energy sources. Carnival Corporation is committed to utilizing shore power where available and working with ports globally to enhance this capability.
Ongoing Initiatives and Future Goals
Carnival Corporation’s current achievements include:
- Two-thirds of its global fleet (64 ships) are shore power-capable.
- Nearly half of its cruise lines have fleets that are fully shore power-capable.
- Three additional ships will be equipped with shore power capabilities this year.
- A partnership with ABB Group will facilitate the installation of 30 more shore power connections.
Shore power is a key component of Carnival Corporation’s decarbonization strategy, aiming for net zero GHG emissions by 2050. The company has already achieved a more than 10% reduction in total GHG emissions since 2011, despite a 30% increase in capacity.
This development at PortMiami represents a significant step towards reducing the environmental impact of the cruise industry and demonstrates Carnival Corporation’s leadership in sustainability.
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Source: Carnival Corporation & plc
