San Diego enables two simultaneous shore power connectionsSan Diego enables two simultaneous shore power connections

Disney Wonder and Oceania Cruises' Insignia will become the first two vessels to plug in simultaneously at the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal.

According to the Port of San Diego, having two shore power outlets will result in at least a 90% overall reduction of harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter whiel also cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

The port is also meeting California Air Resources Board regulations that require essentially all cruise ships calling at California ports to use shore power from Jan. 1, 2023.

$4.6m investment

The port invested $4.6m to complete this project and worked with Cochrane Marine to purchase equipment and for construction management, coordinating, testing and commissioning. San Diego County-based Baker Electric installed port-provided electrical equipment and removed, replaced and terminated medium voltage cables.

The port installed its first shore power outlet at the cruise terminals in 2010, making it among the first in California to do so.

Further initiatives

Doubling shore power at the cruise terminals is among many electrification efforts underway in support of the port's ambitious maritime clean air strategy which includes new electric cranes, an all-electric tugboat and an emissions capture and control system (also known as a bonnet) from Clean Aire Engineering - Maritime to reduce emissions at berth for ships that are not shore power-capable.