Seattle ramps up its shore power capacity

Said to be the fastest-growing cruise port on the US’s west coast, the port sees around 200 ships visit in a typical season.

Adding a third shore-based power system is a major component of the port’s Waterfront Clean Energy Strategy which aims to improve air quality, modernise grid resources, support green investment, increase critical infrastructure resiliency and drive growth in cleaner technologies.

The contract for the shore power system components was awarded in November 2022 to Watts Marine. To date, the company has installed ten shore power systems globally at ports in Seattle, San Diego, San Francisco, Halifax, Vancouver BC, Brooklyn, and Long Beach. An estimated 700 cruise ships connect to Watts Marine’s shoreside electrical power equipment each year.

Watts Marine will be responsible for all aspects of the process including navigating regulation, design, build, operation and maintenance. The systems are tailor-made for the cruise industry and include equipment for dual-voltage electrical service, bespoke electrical cable handling, and electronic monitoring and control.

The Port of Seattle will also use Watts Marine’s mobile cable positioning device which facilitates shore power connections by moving the cabling to the ideal location, making shore power available almost immediately.

Watts Marine’s custom software also allows the specialists in its control centre in Seattle to oversee every connection.

The new shore power connection is expected to be fully operational in time for the 2024 Alaska cruise season.