The US Port of Seattle is to prioritise greenhouse gas emissions’ reduction in future cruise ship berthing agreements.
In a recent announcement, the Port of Seattle Commission approved an order mandating the Executive Director to:
*Assess the progress of cruise lines in meeting both the Port’s and the IMO’s GHG reduction targets before approving or extending any long-term berthing contracts.
*Highlight the ongoing emission trends and reduction initiatives undertaken by cruise lines to achieve these environmental goals.
*Incorporate specific language into all new and renewed long-term berthing agreements that ensures alignment with GHG reduction objectives.
In 2025, Seattle forecast it will handle nearly 1.8 mill pax and over 300 cruise ship calls, contributing more than $900 mill in economic benefits to the local economy.
However, the port has highlighted that this growth could lead to an increase in GHG and air emissions unless sustainable energy solutions, such as low- and zero-carbon alternatives, are implemented.
The Port’s Century Agenda, in tandem with the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy (NWPCAS), targets the complete elimination of emissions from all seaport-related activities by 2050, in line with the IMO’s strategy to achieve net-zero emissions in the shipping industry.
In support of maritime de carbonisation, in June the port adopted a policy to become the first US port to require that all homeported cruise ships be shore-power capable and fully utilise shore power by 2027.
