Will Seattle see more cruise ships 'plugged in' for the 2024 season?
SEATTLE, WA — As spring settled over Seattle, the familiar hum of cruise ships in the Sound returned to the city's waterfront. The welcome of cruise season means a major boost for the economy, tourism, and this year, cleaner air.
The Port of Seattle was working to become the greenest port in North America and to phase out seaport-related emissions by 2050.
The Port installed shore power nearly 20 years ago at Pier 91, and is now on track to add shore power to Pier 66 in time for the 2024 cruise season. Every time a ship plugs into power at port, instead of using generators that run on fuel, it reduces that ship’s emissions by 98%.
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"Each time a cruise ship docks in Seattle, it takes an average of 10 hours to offload guests and their luggage, load provisions, welcome new guests and prepare for its next departure," the Port said. "While ships are at berth, they still need energy to run lights, chill food, operate equipment, and power a myriad of other onboard services. A shore power connection allows cruise ships to plug into cleaner, landside electrical power and turn off diesel engines while at berth."
The Port of Seattle became the second port in the world, after Juneau, Alaska, to add shore power. The Port of Seattle has two shore power-connected berths at the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91.
Additionally, a project to expand shore power to the Pier 66 cruise berth is expected to be completed and online during the 2024 cruise season.
"After the summer of 2024, all cruise berths operated by the Port of Seattle will have shore power connections," the Port said.
The Port of Seattle said they expect more than 800,000 passengers and 275 ship calls this cruise season. The first ship is scheduled to arrive on Saturday from Norwegian Cruise Line. The season is expected to last until October 28.
Last year, the Port of Seattle reported they saw 1.7 million passengers, about 400,000 more than in 2022.
Seattle’s cruise industry is a major economic driver for the region providing more than 5,500 jobs and around $900 million into the region’s economy each season.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Bliss will arrive at the Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 on Saturday, April 6.
Click here to see the full list of the Port of Seattle's cruise schedule.