Seattle will become one of the first cruise ports in the country to offer electric power at every berth, significantly reducing port-related air emissions in the Northwest.
Seattle—Mayor Harrell has introduced legislation authorizing Seattle City Light (City Light) to enter into a two-year agreement (MOA) with the Port of Seattle (“the Port”) to construct and provide shore-based electric power to Pier 66. Shore-based electric power will allow cruise ships to connect to the local power grid and turn off their diesel engines while docked. Nearly 25 percent of total cruise ship emissions in the Puget Sound air basin occur while docked. On average, shore-based electric power would allow each connected ship to reduce its diesel emissions by 80 percent and CO2 emissions by 66 percent respectively while docked. This legislation will be considered by the Seattle City Council today.
“Through this advancement in coastal energy, we are supporting cleaner air, maritime electrification and a greener tourism industry,” said Mayor Harrell. “This agreement reinforces the shared mission of the city and port to drive climate action and stay at the forefront of maritime innovation. I am proud of the port and the city for setting the standard for sustainable port operations that lead us toward a zero-emission future.”
Through this MOA and the electrification of Pier 66, Seattle would become one of the first cruise ports in the country with multiple berths so that shore power is available at each berth. Power will be supplied from an existing City Light electric power vault, a submersible cable from Terminal 46 to Pier 66, and other infrastructure. The construction agreement is supported by a $44 million infrastructure investment from the Port and a $3.5 million investment from the City’s Maritime Transportation Electrification Program (MARTEP), improving City Light’s distribution system, including the ability of conduit banks to serve Washington State Ferries, King County Marine Division, Kitsap Transit, and the Port of Seattle. If approved by the Seattle City Council, the MOA also authorizes the City to execute a thirty-year Operating Agreement between City Light and the Port of Seattle.
“The Port of Seattle’s partnership with Seattle City Light and the City of Seattle to add shore power to the Bell Harbor Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 is critical to achieving the Port’s goals for a carbon-neutral future.” said Seattle Port Commissioner Fred Felleman. “Once operational this cruise season, shore power at Pier 66 will allow cruise ships to turn off their engines and use City Light’s low-carbon electricity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 4,500 metric tons per year. This, coupled with the Port of Seattle Commission’s recent order requiring shore power for all homeported vessels by 2027, will allow us to continue to balance the economic benefits of tourism for the region while protecting the environment around us.”
The Pier 66 shore power project is the latest in a series of electrification efforts by the city and port to create the greenest port in North America by phasing out seaport-related emissions by 2050. The electrification of Pier 66 required the installation of a one-mile subsea cable Elliott Bay from Terminal 46 to Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 in January 2024The completion of the Pier 66 project is a major milestone as it achieves the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy The goal of electrifying all Seattle cruise ship berths six years ahead of schedule, originally planned for 2030. In addition, the Pier 66 Shore Power project and MOA are moving forward in the Seattle's Clean Energy Waterfront Strategy—a joint effort between the Port, City Light and the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) to eliminate emissions from Seattle’s waterfront and transition the local maritime industry from fossil fuels to clean, reliable energy.
What people are saying
Dawn Lindell, CEO and Managing Director of Seattle City Light
“We are proud to partner with the Port of Seattle to make shoreside electric connections a reality for Seattle’s dynamic cruise industry,” said Dawn Lindell, President and CEO of Seattle City Light. “Electrifying Pier 66 delivers on City Light’s strategic vision of creating a clean energy future for the region. By connecting ships to our clean, carbon-neutral power, we are reducing harmful diesel engine emissions and improving air quality for people who visit, work and live in Seattle.”
Councilwoman Tanya Woo, President of the Council's Sustainability Committee, City Light, Art and Culture
“Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality are critical actions in our fight against climate change. I commend Seattle City Light and the Port of Seattle for their joint effort on this ambitious project. Bringing shore power connections to cruise ships at Pier 66 will have a lasting impact on our region and will greatly contribute to the city’s comprehensive transportation electrification strategy.”
Rich Austin Jr., president of ILWU Local 19
“Coastal energy is the future and we congratulate the City of Seattle and the Port of Seattle for leading the nation innorth removing emissions from seaports. This effort is an important step in the right direction to improve the health and safety of our many maritime workers.. Cleaner air means healthier working conditions and a better quality of life for everyone in our community. who work, shop and visit the coastal area."
