Two Cruise Ships Plug Into San Diego’s Shore Power

Posted on 15 January, 2023 by Spacejunkie2

The Port of San Diego announced that on Friday, for the first time, two cruise ships can now simultaneously use shore power in San Diego rather than running their diesel engines while at berth.

Previously, only one cruise vessel could plug in. On Friday, the Disney Wonder and the Insignia from Oceania Cruises were the first two cruise vessels to use shore power at the same time in San Diego.

The port said in a statement that it is committed to being a good neighbour. Having two shore power outlets at the cruise ship terminals will result in at least a 90 per cent overall reduction of harmful pollutants (while the ships are docked) such as Nitrous Oxides (NOx) and Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) as well as a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The Port is also meeting California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations that require essentially all cruise ships calling on California ports to use shore power beginning January 1, 2023.

Doubling shore power at the cruise terminals is among many electrification efforts underway in support of the Port’s Maritime Clean Air Strategy (MCAS), the most ambitious clean air strategy of its kind in the state, and likely in the entire country, the port said.

The MCAS and its “Health Equity for All” vision represents the Port’s commitment to environmental justice, specifically cleaner air for everyone who lives, works, and plays on and around San Diego Bay.

Cruise companies to commit to shore power in the Baltic Sea

Posted on 1 April, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

MSC Virtuosa Photo credit SpaceJunkie2

Five major cruise companies will commit to using shore power on all cruises in the Baltic Sea from 2024 at the Sustainable Cruising conference hosted by business-to-business network Cruise Baltic, to be held in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 5 April.

Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group, MSC Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises and Ponant will sign a memorandum of understanding at the conference, with the Danish minister for environment Lea Wermelin in attendance.

“We are extremely proud that these cruise lines now commit to shore power in the region, and it shows that the cruise industry is taking an important responsibility when it comes to sustainability,” said Claus Bødker, director of Cruise Baltic.

The Sustainable Cruise conference will take place at the Copenhagen Marriot Hotel and will feature talks by representatives of cruise lines and Baltic ports and destinations, along with Wermelin and the Lord Mayor of Copenhagen Sophie Hæstorp Andersen.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Lauds Scarlet Lady’s Successful Inaugural

Posted on 9 October, 2021 by Spacejunkie2

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava – along with members of the Board of County Commission, the PortMiami team, and industry partners – has lauded the successful inauguration of the Scarlet Lady, Virgin Voyages’ first new cruise ship to her homeport, PortMiami.

The Scarlet Lady was delivered on Valentine’s Day 2020 and was due to make her maiden voyage from PortMiami on Apr. 1, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the line had to postpone her maiden season. Scarlet Lady started passenger operations from Miami on the evening of Oct. 6.

The 2,800-passenger Scarlet Lady features innovative technologies that reduce fuel demand. The brand prides on its commitment to creating an “Epic Sea Change For All,” supporting the commercial advancement of clean energy, alternative fuel sources, and other climate-positive initiatives. The line also took actions a step further by utilizing carbon offsets to balance impacts on climate change.

Additionally, Virgin Voyages’ new Cruise Terminal V, soon to open at PortMiami, will be “Shore Power Ready” by 2023. The terminal is part of Miami-Dade County’s Shore Power Phase 1 Project that will generate county-wide benefits by reducing emissions from vessels burning bunker fuel while at berth.

“We’re extremely grateful for support from the mayor’s office in bringing Shore Power to PortMiami,” said the Founder of the Virgin Group, Richard Branson. “Our team at Virgin Voyages is committed to contributing efforts that push our industry towards a more sustainable future and remain stewards to the environment.”

“Miami-Dade County is grateful to Sir Richard Branson and the Virgin team for their incredible partnership and commitment to creating a more resilient industry, indeed an Epic Sea Change For All,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “I am truly proud that together with Virgin Voyages and other partners, we are positioning PortMiami as a leader in sustainability and creating a more resilient cruise industry for generations to come.”