On January 13th, 2023, two large cruise vessels plugged into the newly completed shore-power expansion at Port San Diego (California USA) passenger terminal for the first time, which was a doubling of the previous capacity.
Disney Wonder and Oceania Insignia simultaneously used shore-side power connections rather than running their diesel engines/electricity generators at berths. Previously, only one ship could plug in.
The addition of the new station along with the initial one installed back in 2010 made it possible for the port to reduce harmful air pollutants like NOx (Nitrous Oxides) and DPM (Diesel Particulate Matter) as well as greenhouse gas emissions by 90% while ships are docked.
The port is also meeting CARB (California Air Resources Board) regulations that require all cruise ships calling on ports in California to use shore power beginning on January 1st, 2023.
The port said it had invested US$4,6 million to complete the project and worked with Cochrane Marine LLC to buy equipment and for construction management, testing, coordinating and commissioning. San Diego County-based Baker Electric installed Port-provided electrical equipment and replaced and terminated medium voltage cables.
Port of San Diego (California)
Other efforts by the Port to improve air quality feature the installation of 2 all-electric Konecranes Gottwald Generation 6 Mobile Harbor Cranes which are the first all-electric cranes to operate in North America in order to replace the diesel crane at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal, and the building of a shoreside charging station to support the new all-electric tugboat, that is slated to go into operation for Crowley in 2023.