The Galveston Wharves, together with Carnival Corporation, CenterPoint Energy, Royal Caribbean Group, Shell and Texas A&M University at Galveston, will work toward potential solutions to develop environmentally beneficial shore power at the Port of Galveston.
The agreement outlines the parties’ intention to develop a project timeline and specifications, as well as cost estimates and proposed agreements, for a system to deliver shore power to vessels docked at the port.
Shore power allows vessels to plug into an onshore electrical source for onboard power instead of using auxiliary diesel-powered engines, which produce emissions.
This project working group is our dream team. It’s a winning combination with energy infrastructure expertise from Shell and CenterPoint Energy, the experience of major cruise lines Royal Caribbean and Carnival, and the educational and research resources of Texas A&M-Galveston
Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO, said.
Royal Caribbean Group is currently outfitting its new Galveston cruise terminal for when shore power becomes available for the Oasis-Class Allure of the Seas. The ship will homeport at the new cruise terminal opening November 9.
Carnival Cruise Line, another major cruise line that calls Galveston home, has also pledged that any of its ships regularly assigned to homeport at Galveston will be capable of connecting to shore power once it is made available.
The new Carnival Jubilee, scheduled to homeport in Galveston in 2023, will be equipped with shore power capabilities. The ship will run on clean-burning liquified natural gas (LNG), making it the first cruise ship homeporting at Galveston to have this energy technology.
Through Green Marine, a voluntary environmental program for North America’s maritime industry, the port is researching and implementing new programs like shore power for lasting environmental benefits.
