Last week, the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) announced a $2 mill grant for PortMiami’s shore power pilot programme.
Announced in March, 2021, this project will be undertaken in partnership with Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) at Miami’s new Cruise Terminal F.
Pending the completion of the pilot programme study and the necessary infrastructure work, CCL will commit to using shore power for up to four vessels at the new cruise terminal, starting in 2023.
In February, Miami-Dade County signed a joint statement with six leading cruise companies – Carnival Corp, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Group, and Virgin Voyages – plus Florida Power and Light to bring shore power to PortMiami.
Although this project may represent significant financial investments by all parties involved, the grant helps offset the initial cost towards shore power at PortMiami, MiamiDade County said.
“We’re so proud that efforts to bring shore power to PortMiami are quickly progressing,” said Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “This DERA grant will help us fund shore power infrastructure making PortMiami the first seaport in Florida and the southeastern US to provide this connection.
“We are committed not just to bringing back cruising in the months ahead – but to building back a more resilient cruise industry and continuing to make the port a leader in sustainability,” she said.
“We appreciate Mayor Levine Cava’s leadership to move this pilot project expeditiously through the process. Carnival welcomes this development and the opportunity to serve as the partner in the shore power pilot program at PortMiami,” added Christine Duffy, CCL President.
“In combination with our Terminal F project and the ‘Carnival Celebration’ LNG ship we are bringing to Miami in 2022, the DERA grant provides additional momentum to the shared goal of enhanced environmental operations.”
