In November 2006, the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach approved an unprecedented joint action to improve air quality in the South Coast Air Basin called the Clean Air Action Plan. The sweeping 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. Considered a “living document,” the plan allows for updating as new technologies and processes become available. As part of the CAAP, the ports in be utilizing electrical shore power whenever possible, as the latest agreement with Princess demonstrates.Demonstrating Princess’ ongoing dedication to helping clear the air in the port cities from which its ships sail, Princess 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 clean 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. Next year, the busiest port in the United States will come online with this program designed to reduce air emissions.

The new shore power agreement is part of the Port of Los Angeles’ Alternative Maritime Power (AMP) 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.

Princess’ shore power program made history when it first began operations in Juneau in the summer of 2001. The innovative program expanded to Seattle in summer 2005, and the technology is now featured on 10 ships which are equipped to use local hydroelectric power. All Princess ships currently sailing from the Port of Los Angeles are fully equipped and ready to plug into shore power when it debuts there.

To create this unusual power system, Princess has outfitted its ships with a custom-built state-of-the-art electrical connection cabinet that automatically connects the ship’s electrical network to the local electrical network ashore. The electrical power is transmitted from the landside transformer to the vessel via four 3 1/2-inch diameter flexible electrical cables. The actual cable connection on the vessel is a traditional, though quite large, male/female plug and socket.