MSC Cruises utilized shore power successfully in New York this week when MSC Meraviglia connected to shore power at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, marking the first connection following MSC Cruises’ official shore power commissioning and test connection on October 26
The shore power supplied electricity for all the vessel’s guests and crew while the ship was at berth, following a positive test connection the previous weekend.
The connection enabled MSC Meraviglia to switch off her engines, eliminating local emissions as part of the City’s and MSC Cruises’ commitment to improving air quality while the ship is in port.
“We are proud to see the advancement of shore power at U.S. ports, including New York. Collaboration with local communities, elected officials and port partners is integral to make this progress possible. We are committed to connect whenever the shoreside technology is available as part of our ongoing efforts to improve local air quality and reduce carbon emissions.” said, Lynn Torrent, President, MSC Cruises, North America.
“NYCEDC is making crucial investments – from shore power upgrades at BCT and the recently approved Brooklyn Marine Terminal project to the forthcoming Manhattan Cruise Terminal master plan – ensuring the future of the cruise industry in New York City is sustainable, efficient, and economically competitive. 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.” added Andrew Kimball, President & CEO, New York City Economic Development Corporation.
MSC Cruises has equipped all new ships with shore power capability since 2017 and is working to retrofit other vessels in its fleet. Currently, 16 of the line’s 23 ships are equipped with shore power, which will increase to 17 by the end of the year.
The MSC Group’s Cruise Division last month celebrated a year of shore power success at the Mediterranean Sea port of Valletta in Malta, when MSC World Europa connected to the local electricity grid for a total of 300 hours during 12 months.
The Division’s luxury brand, Explora Journeys, connected the next day for the first time in Malta when its debut ship of six vessels, EXPLORA I, received shoreside power.
MSC Seaview recently tested a new shore power facility at the port of La Spezia in Italy, and last week, MSC Poesia also trialled a new landside port plug-in capability at Le Havre in northern France.
MSC Cruises’ first use of shore power in the United States occurred in April 2025 when MSC World America plugged in while docked at the cruise line’s state-of-the-art terminal at PortMiami, which opened during the same month.
MSC Cruises in 2024 connected to shore power in 13 ports and made 142 successful connections, more than triple the number undertaken in the previous year.
MSC Meraviglia is based in New York for the winter 2025-26 season with 7-night sailings to Port Canaveral, Nassau, and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC Cruises’ private island in The Bahamas.
