Carnival Corporation is advancing its commitment to shore power infrastructure as work progresses on a major electrification project in Whittier, Alaska, located about 90 minutes southeast of Anchorage.
Developed in collaboration with the State of Alaska, the Chugach Electric Association, and Carnival Corporation, the Whittier cruise terminal electrification project will allow ships from two of the company's brands—Holland America Line and Princess Cruises—to shut down their engines while docked and operate using electricity from the local grid. The project includes upgrading electrical systems, installing voltage-reducing equipment near the cruise pier, and providing in-port electrical connections that will also allow for electric vehicle charging.
Construction began in 2023 with joint funding. Key equipment such as transformers and capacitor banks have already been delivered, and work is progressing with the aim of completing the project in 2027.
“Shore power remains a critical component of our decarbonization strategy as we move toward our goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from our ship operations by 2050,” said Robert Morgenstern, senior vice president of Alaska operations for Princess Cruises and Holland America Line. “The natural beauty of Alaska is central to our guests’ experience, and this infrastructure investment demonstrates our shared commitment to protecting the environments we visit. It also reinforces a partnership that dates back more than two decades, when we pioneered the industry’s first shore power project in Juneau.”.
In 2001, Princess Cruises partnered with the city and district of Juneau to electrify Franklin Pier, creating the world's first cruise terminal equipped with this system. Currently, 74% of Carnival Corporation's fleet is ready to connect to the electrical grid in port when available. In fact, nearly half of the group's brands have 100% of their ships equipped with this technology, and the company plans to continue expanding these capabilities in the coming years.
Whittier's project is the latest in a series of milestones in the expansion of shore power, in collaboration with ports around the world. In the United States, the Carnival Conquest was the first ship to connect to the new shore power infrastructure at PortMiami in 2024, making it the first major port on the East Coast to offer electrical connections at five berths. The company also recently celebrated 20 years of grid connection in Seattle, where Princess Cruises was a pioneer, reinforcing its long-standing partnership with the port.
In-port power supply allows cruise ships to shut down their engines while docked and connect to the local power grid to power their onboard systems. Depending on the energy source, this technology can reduce overall emissions by up to 100%.
Carnival Corporation is committed to connecting to in-port electricity whenever it is available and operationally feasible. This initiative is part of its global emissions reduction strategy and its goal of achieving net-zero emissions in its maritime operations by 2050. Thanks to the measures implemented to date, the company has reduced its total greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 15% compared to its historical peak in 2011, despite having increased its capacity by around 38% since then.
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