- One of the most popular cruise ports in the world just got an environmental makeover.
- PortMiami is now equipped with shore power, which allows ships to plug into giant electrical outlets.
- The technology allows cruise ships to kill their engines while docked, reducing emissions and noise.
The cruise ship capital of the world unveiled its new shore power system this week, an innovative energy source that will help curb the industry's negative climate impacts.
Cruise ships docking at PortMiami are now able to plug into massive electrical outlets instead of running their diesel engines while idle.
Large commercial vessels typically keep their engines running while docked to ensure crew members and passengers who stay on board have access to electricity and other amenities. One cruise ship running its engine at port can use as much energy as 10,000 households in one day, The Miami Herald reported.
The Florida port saw more than 7 million cruise passengers pass through in 2023, a record-breaking figure for the busy cruise hub.
Shore power utilizes the local land-based power grid. The Miami apparatus is a collaboration between Miami-Dade County, Florida Power & Light Company, and several large cruise companies.
The project cost an estimated $125 million and was funded by grants and contributions, including from the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Florida Department of Transportation, Cruise Hive, a trade publication, reported.
The energy comes from individual substations built by Florida Power & Light, which are installed at multiple terminals throughout the port, according to The Herald.
Shore power will help cut emissions and noise pollution, the outlet reported. MiamiPort has 16 megawatts available for cruise ships, and each vessel requires anywhere from eight to 13 megawatts per docking, port director Hydi Webb told The Herald.
MiamiPort did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.
Monday marked the grand unveiling of PortMiaimi's shore power system. Executives from five cruise lines — Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Virgin, Norweigen, and MSC — attended, according to media reports.
The port's shore power rollout is quick. Three ships per cruise line will be able to plug into the substations starting this week, The Herald reported.
A Carnival ship was the first vessel to connect on Monday, according to Cruise Hive. The company did not immediately respond to BI's request for comment.
While 30% of global cruise ships have shore power capability, less than 30 ports are equipped to serve such ships, according to a 2023 report from the Cruise Lines Industry Association.
But more and more ports appear to be ready for the change. The Port of Seattle recently announced that it will require all cruise ships homeported there to use shore power by 2027.