Seattle is first Port to offer dual shore power at cruise berths

Scrubber study will look at further emissions reductions

A new shore power hook-up at the south berth at Terminal 30 makes the Port of the first port in North America to provide shore power simultaneously to two vessels.

The milestone was celebrated today with a luncheon aboard Holland America Line's Zandaam.

"Last year we became the second port in North America to offer shore power for cruise ships," said Port of Seattle Commission President Patricia Davis. "Today we take a leading role in environmental stewardship as the only port capable of providing shore power for two cruise ships at once."

Hooking up to the City of Seattle's power grid allows the cruise ships to turn off their engines while docked in Seattle, reducing fuel consumption and eliminating diesel emissions from the ship's stack.

"The City of Seattle, Holland America Line, Princess Cruise Line, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency have been vital partners in this achievement," Davis said. "We are very thankful for their ongoing support and their willingness to forge ahead."

The beginning of a study to determine the feasibility of using seawater scrubbers to remove pollutants from cruise ship diesel emissions also was announced today Holland's MS Zandaam, one of the ships operating out of Seattle in 2007, will test the seawater scrubbing equipment.

The study is made possible with the assistance of a $300,000 grant from the U.S. EPA/West Coast Diesel Collaborative, a $100,000 contribution from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and $50,000 from the Port of Seattle. Other partners in the study include: BP, CAT Diesel Power, Environment Canada and the Port of Vancouver (Canada) Authority.

"We're excited to play a role in testing this promising new technology," said Port of Seattle CEO Mic Dinsmore. "The shore power and seawater scrubbing programs are clear examples of the maritime industry bringing economic benefits and environmental stewardship to our community."