The Port of Seattle is increasing cruise ships’ demand for shore-based energy

The Port of Seattle became the first port in the nation to independently require that 100% of all cruise ships ported in Seattle be shore-powered and use shore-based energy. The ordinance adopted today by the Port of Seattle Commission goes into effect for the 2027 cruise season, three years ahead of the port’s previous 2030 goal.

“By ensuring that all parent cruise ships use land-based energy by including this requirement in our trade agreements, the port continues to demonstrate how we can generate economic opportunities while minimizing our impact on communities and the climate,” he added. said Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman, who sponsored the order. “By issuing this regulation, the Commission is transforming the port’s 2030 goal of widespread use of shore-side energy into a 2027 requirement, which is only possible thanks to the significant investments made by the cruise industry and the port in both ships and land-based facilities . The marketing of such investments should also meet the environmental interests of travelers who choose to cruise to Alaska.”

“I was proud to co-author this order, which underlines our Commission’s unwavering focus on developing onshore energy – a key strategy for reducing emissions in the maritime sector. “Given our continued investment in land-based energy, we must ensure that mother ships connect to power when moored at our piers,” said Seattle Port Commission Chairman Hamdi Mohamed. “This order represents a robust policy that demonstrates our commitment to accountability and oversight of our sustainability strategy.”

Connecting to shore power reduces diesel emissions from moored cruise ships by an average of 66%. In the 2023 season, land-based cruise ships avoided 2,700 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and 0.75 tonnes of diesel particulate matter, the equivalent of almost 650 passenger cars running for a year.

The port is finalizing the electrification of Pier 66 and plans to connect cruise ships there to shore power this summer. This milestone will enable access to land-based energy at all three Seattle cruise berths, helping to meet Northwest Ports’ Clean Air Strategy goal of electrifying all cruise berths by 2030, six years early. This will make Seattle one of the first cruise ports to offer shore-side power on all of its numerous waterfronts.

In 2004, the Port of Seattle, thanks to investment by Carnival Corporation, became the first home port in North America to offer land power at two cruise ports. Carnival and other cruise operators continue to benefit from these infrastructure investments, with 66% of cruise routes being connected.

The Port continues to work with the Alaska cruise ports of Victoria, British Columbia and Vancouver, British Columbia, and the cruise industry to explore the world’s first Green Corridor targeting Seattle-to-Alaska cruises using innovative decarbonization strategies.

The Port of Seattle also launched a cruise dashboard to track passenger, environmental and economic metrics. Data from the 2023 season are now available.

About the Port of Seattle

Established in 1911 by a vote of the people as a special purpose government, the Port of Seattle aims to promote economic opportunity and quality of life in the region by supporting trade, travel, commerce and job creation in a fair, responsible and environmentally responsible manner.

The port owns and operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), a fishing terminal – home to the North Pacific fishing fleet – and public marinas. The port also owns two cruise terminals, a grain terminal, real estate and marine cargo terminals through a partnership in the Northwest Seaport Alliance.

Port operations help support nearly 200,000 jobs and wages worth $7 billion across the region. Over the next 13 years, the Port’s Centenary Program aims to create an additional 100,000 jobs through economic growth, while also becoming the leading green and energy-efficient port in the country.

contact

Chris Guizlo | Port of Seattle
(206) 787-3433 | [email protected]