By Karen Robes Meeks
In its updated Request for Proposal for partners of a new cruise terminal, the Port of Seattle is asking for cruise vessels to have shore power capabilities and zero-emissions cargo handling equipment, among other environmental requirements.
“A key element of the port’s clean air and climate change strategy is to ultimately have all vessels utilizing shore power at berth,” said Stephanie Jones Stebbins, Managing Director of the Maritime Division at the port. “The port intends to require 100 percent of homeport cruise vessel calls at the new terminal to be shore-power capable and plug-in starting the first year of operation. We are striving to be the cleanest and greenest homeport in the nation.”
The port said it expects to announce a cruise terminal partner by the second quarter of this year.