MSC Meraviglia can now connect to shore power at Brooklyn Cruise Terminal

The MSC Meraviglia, seen here docked in Red Hook, carries more than 5,600 passengers. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

RED HOOK — The New York City Economic Development Corporation on Monday announced the expansion of shore power infrastructure at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, which will allow more ships to connect to electric power when docked, reducing toxic diesel emissions.

This includes the gargantuan MSC Meraviglia, which hooked up to the new shore power mechanism for the first time on Oct. 26, and Princess Cruises’ Enchanted Princess, which drew shore power on Aug. 30.

As part of the expansion, the terminal’s shore power system expanded from a “fixed cable” positioning device to a mobile jib, and added additional connection points along the length of the berth, NYCEDC said in a release.

he MSC Meraviglia, one of the largest cruise ships in the world, at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

NYCEDC President and CEO Andrew Kimball touted the shore power upgrade — along with the recently-approved Brooklyn Marine Terminal project (and a forthcoming Manhattan Cruise Terminal master plan). The improvements will ensure that the future of the cruise industry in New York City “is sustainable, efficient, and economically competitive,” he said.

“MSC Cruises’ shore power connection this past weekend—and the connections of Cunard and Princess cruise ships in recent months—delivers on years of community feedback and marks a major step in electrifying New York’s waterfront,” Kimball added.

The move to shore power, a broad industry trend, was accelerated by the City Council’s passage in March of the “ Our Air Our Water Act,” which requires giant cruise ships with the capacity to do so to connect to the electric power grid on shore rather than burning diesel.

Councilmember Alexa Avilés at a recent Brooklyn Marine Terminal rally. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

The bill also requires traffic mitigation plans for neighborhoods — like Red Hook, the Columbia Street Waterfront District and Manhattan’s West Side — affected by idling cruise ships, which can discharge thousands of passengers at one time, overwhelming local streets.

The legislation, which was opposed by NYCEDC, was introduced by Red Hook’s Councilmember Alexa Avilés and co-sponsored by Manhattan Councilmember Erik Bottcher.

“After years of being promised a mobile jib that will help us improve air quality here in Red Hook, the day has finally come!” Avilés said in a release. “While we celebrate the elimination of tons of toxic fumes from our local air, more work remains. I look forward to continuing the work of modernizing our ports so that our community and city may thrive.”