NYC Council may force cruise ships to cut diesel engines when docking in city waters

The pleasure cruise industry may have to shore up its greenhouse gas emissions when ships dock in New York City.

City Councilmembers debated a bill on Thursday that explicitly requires cruise terminal operators to use shore power, rather than their onboard diesel engines, while ships are docking in city waters. The regulation is part of New York’s ongoing attempts to cut carbon emissions citywide.

“We can not rest on past environmental achievements if we want New York to remain competitive in the cruise market,” Councilmember Amanda Farias said during a committee hearing on the bill on Thursday. “Expanding shore power represents a vital step towards cementing New York’s position as the greenest – and most equitable – major cruise hub on the East Coast.”

Cruise ships burn through a considerable amount of fuel carting travelers. and their own crew members, across oceans. And even when docked, these same vessels still need energy to keep lights on and electricity going – which can contribute to air pollution in neighborhoods like Hell’s Kitchen and Red Hook. And while certain cruise lines – like Norwegian and Carnival – already vowed to commit to shore power by 2028, the new bill would legally mandate the pledge.

If the bill passes, cruise ships would also need to come up with a “community traffic mitigation plan” to reduce traffic, noise and air pollution caused by the hubbub at cruise terminals. The bill’s sponsor, Councilmember Alexa Avilés, said residents in Red Hook feel “fear and dread” ahead of this summer’s cruise season.

“This is a community that feels like it is being dumped on and is ready to take on collective action,” she said during the hearing.

Officials with the city’s Economic Development Corporation, which oversees business on the waterfront – including the Manhattan and Brooklyn cruise terminals – said that the city is “fully aligned” with the bill’s motives.

“We want to thank the Council for your…