PortMiami has achieved a major milestone in environmental sustainability by introducing shore power for ships docked at the port. Carnival Conquest, representing Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise company, was the first ship to connect to landside electrical power at the cruise capital of the world. This achievement is the result of a partnership between Miami-Dade County, Florida Power & Light Company, and several cruise lines, including Carnival Corporation. Now, PortMiami boasts the distinction of being the first major cruise port on the U.S. eastern seaboard to offer shore power connections at five cruise berths.
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, expressed pride in supporting Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and port officials in bringing shore power to PortMiami. She emphasized the significance of this milestone for the company’s ongoing commitment to reducing emissions. The new shore power capability allows ships to rely on the electrical grid to power their systems while in port, further reducing their environmental impact.
Carnival Conquest was chosen for the inaugural shore power connection due to Carnival Corporation’s accomplishment of exceeding its 2030 shore power goal in 2023, seven years ahead of schedule. The company has established itself as a leader in the industry, with 67% of its fleet capable of connecting to shore power. This represents twice as many shore power-capable ships as there are ports equipped to provide it.
Josh Weinstein, chief executive officer of Carnival Corporation & plc, highlighted the importance of shoreside electricity in their global strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. He emphasized the company’s pioneering efforts in shore power for the cruise industry, dating back over 20 years. Despite these efforts, adoption remains limited worldwide, with only 2% of cruise ports equipped for shore power. Carnival Corporation commends PortMiami for recognizing the vital role of shore power in the future of the industry and the planet, acknowledging their leadership in delivering this capability to cruise ships.
Shore power offers a highly efficient solution for cruise operators to switch off their ship engines while in port, allowing them to “plug in” and draw energy from the local electric grid. This practice significantly reduces total emissions, achieving a reduction of up to 98%, depending on the mix of energy sources. Carnival Corporation remains committed to utilizing shoreside electricity in ports where it is available and operationally feasible, actively collaborating with ports worldwide to prioritize investment in this crucial capability.
Shore power is one of many emission reduction technologies employed by Carnival Corporation as part of its overall decarbonization strategy, aimed at achieving net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. Through its aggressive and ongoing actions across its fleet, Carnival Corporation has achieved a reduction of over 10% in total GHG emissions compared to 2011, despite a 30% increase in capacity during that period.
