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  4. Powering ports

PortMiami, known as the "Cruise Capital of the World" and committed to environmental stewardship, took a significant step towards sustainability in 2024 with the introduction of the largest shore power system on the U.S. East Coast.

Shore power allows cruise ships to plug into the local power grid while docked, eliminating the need to run their engines and significantly reducing emissions and noise pollution – a big benefit to the port, the surrounding community and the planet.

As engineer of record, our team played a leading role in delivering the project.

Location

  • Miami, Florida, USA

Client

Project status

  • Completed in 2025

Innovations in design and flexibility

We designed and implemented the system, closely collaborating with PortMiami, Miami-Dade County, Florida Power and Light, global manufacturers, suppliers and cruise lines to ensure the project's success.

The system serves five terminals at PortMiami, each associated with a major cruise line: Terminal A (Royal Caribbean International), Terminal B (Norwegian Cruise Line), Terminal F (Carnival Cruise Line), Terminal V (Virgin Voyages), and MSC Cruises. It provides up to 16 megawatts of power, more than enough to power docked ships, which require between 8 and 13 megawatts during their stays.

The project required thousands of feet of new duct banks for sufficient distribution and creation of redundant power lines. Each shore power-enabled cruise terminal receives those cables at a shore power substation that includes converters, transformers and switches. A flexible cable management system enables compatibility with multiple cruise ship classes, and standardized connection boxes play a pivotal role in ensuring uniformity and compatibility

“Designing a single project for this many cruise ships and that offers such tremendous flexibility is like trying to hit a home run out of the park,” said Mark Valenti, senior vice president and southeast regional maritime leader at WSP in the U.S. “It really is the first of its kind.”

Big environmental impact

The environmental impact of the shore power system is substantial. By allowing ships to turn off their engines while docked, the system reduces air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to Miami-Dade County's goals of a 50% carbon reduction by 2030 and 100% by 2050.

Switching off cruise ship engines reduces emissions by up to 98 percent, making the annual emission reduction estimate associated with shore power at one terminal equivalent to the removal of 7,500 cars from the road.

Shore power not only addresses environmental concerns but also fosters healthier, more vibrant communities around ports. It significantly reduces carbon emissions, air pollutants and noise; enhances public health; improves the quality of life for those living near the port; and boosts the local economy through new jobs and increased cruise traffic.

The shore power project at PortMiami represents a significant advancement in sustainable maritime practices. Our expertise and collaboration with key stakeholders delivered a project that not only reduces environmental impact but also positions PortMiami as a leader in global cruise industry’s global effort to sail towards a greener and more sustainable future.

Meet the Visioneers

Mark Valenti paints a bigger picture for maritime projects, ensuring that their implementation meets the needs of all stakeholders. “Shore power is a crucial strategy in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, combating climate change and minimizing the environmental impact on neighboring communities.” – Mark Valenti

Grace Patino’s electrical engineering experience played a central role in the project’s design and delivery at PortMiami. “Collaboration with cruise lines was integral to the success of shore power compatibility; the design embraced universal interface standards to ensure compatibility with a diverse range of vessels.” – Grace Patino

  

Other challenges that we have overcome