By
Laura Hyde |
The Port of Québec in Canada will provide visiting cruise ships with shore power at Berth 30 from 2028, as part of an almost CAD$70 million (US$49.2 million) investment to strengthen cruise infrastructure at the port.
The 16-megawatt shore power facility will enable vessels to connect to the city’s hydroelectric grid while docked, which port officials hope will support lower emission operations, as well as reducing local air pollutants and noise around the port. The project is expected to reduce cruise ship greenhouse gas emissions while docked by up to 90 per cent, representing approximately 70,000 tons over ten years.
“Our cruise line partners have been very clear about what they need from the ports of the future: reliable infrastructure, meaningful emissions-reduction solutions, and destinations that understand the operational and sustainability pressures they are navigating,” said Marie-Andrée Blanchet, director of cruise and international development for Port of Québec. “We listened, and we answered. Shore power at Berth 30 is a direct response to those needs, and it reflects our commitment to supporting our partners, our city, our community and the future of responsible cruise tourism on the Saint Lawrence.”
There are numerous shore power projects in progress across North America, including at Port Charlottetown and across other parts of Canada and New England, and Saint Lawrence region. These investments aim to position the region as a compelling cruise destination for lower-emission itineraries, strong port infrastructure and responsible destination growth.
“Port investments like this are essential to the cruise industry’s ability to reduce emissions at berth and continue advancing toward a more sustainable future,” said Bud Darr, president and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association. “Québec’s investment in hydroelectric-sourced shore power is important not only for the Port of Québec, but for the broader Saint Lawrence and Canada and New England cruise region. As more ports across the corridor invest in providing shore power, the region becomes an increasingly attractive choice for cruise lines and guests seeking exceptional travel experiences supported by environmentally sound operations.”