Port of Seattle to weigh cruise line GHG reduction goals

A Port of Seattle Commission order now requires the executive director to evaluate cruise lines’ progress toward achieving port and IMO GHG goals before renewing or extending any long-term berthing agreements.

The order also calls for publicizing cruise line emission trends and emission reduction projects under way. As well, language is to be included in any long-term berthing agreements, leases, renewals and extensions with homeported cruise lines that supports evaluation of GHG reduction plans.

Goal of being the greenest

'We are leveraging our partnerships to accelerate advancements toward our Century Agenda goals of responsibly investing in the economic growth of the region and all of its communities, and becoming the greenest and most energy-efficiency port in North America, promoting transparency of our progress for the public,' Port of Seattle Commission Vice President Toshiko Hasegawa said.

1.8m revenue passengers forecast

In 2025, the port anticipates nearly 1.8m revenue passengers on more than 300 calls, resulting in over $900m in economic benefit to the region. While cruise growth will boost the economy, without adoption of zero- and low-carbon energy alternatives, it also will lead to increased GHG and other emissions.

The Port of Seattle’s Century Agenda and Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy outline goals to phase out emissions from all seaport-related sources by 2050, aligning with the IMO's ambition for international shipping to reach net-zero GHG emissions 'by or around' 2050.

Related:Seattle requires all homeporting cruise ships to use shore power by 2027

Shore power mandate

In June, the Port of Seattle announced a requirement that 100% of homeporting cruise ships be shore power capable and use shore power by 2027. 

While 61% of the global cruise ship fleet is equipped to plug into shore power, only 35 cruise ports worldwide have a connection available. Seattle offers shore power at two Pier 91 berths and will soon implement it at  the Bell Harbor Cruise Terminal at Pier 66. 

Green corridor

Seattle continues to collaborate with ports in Alaska and Victoria and Vancouver, BC, as well as the cruise industry, on the world’s first cruise-focused green corridor between Seattle and Alaska. Cruise line partners are exploring the feasibility of having four cruise ships fueled by green methanol sailing in the corridor.