Seattle Port electrifies cruise terminals

The US$44 million shorepower project allows docked ships to plug in whilst in port, significantly cutting emissions. This project was originally planned for completion by 2030, placing Seattle seven years ahead of schedule.

“We are now really a global leader in reducing the emissions from cruise ships while they’re at the dock,” said Port of Seattle commissioner, Fred Felleman.

The 2024 cruise season has officially ended on 28 October with the departure of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Jewell, capping a busy season that saw 276 ship calls and 1.75 million passengers. Numbers are expected to reach 2 million in 2025.

Officials estimate that if every ship connected to shorepower last year, it would have prevented 11,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases and 300 tonnes of particulate matter from being emitted into the air.

While not all cruise ships are currently equipped to connect to shorepower, the port has set a 2027 deadline requiring compliant ships to dock, making it a standard for vessels entering Seattle.