Princess Cruises has signed an agreement committing to turning off the engines of its vessels when they dock at the Port of Los Angeles and plugging in to electrical power. The Port of Los Angeles’ shore power capability will be available for use in 2008, and the technology is already available on the Princess ships which will call there.

The project is similar to the shore power program Princess debuted in Juneau, Alaska in 2001 and in Seattle, Washington in 2005.

The new shore power agreement is part of the Port of Los Angeles’ Alternative Maritime Power Program. Princess has been actively engaged in the development of shore power capabilities at the Port, and has provided technical support for the program. Shore power, also known as cold ironing, enables ships to turn off their diesel engines and connect to electric power that travels to the ship from a specially designed transformer. As a result, shore-based electricity runs all onboard services during the day-long calls.

In November 2006, the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach approved a joint action to improve air quality in the South Coast Air Basin called the Clean Air Action Plan. The five-year plan is a blueprint for the ports to significantly reduce the health risks posed by air pollution from port-related ships, trains, trucks, terminal equipment and harbor craft.