Cunard has achieved a ground-breaking milestone by enabling its entire fleet to connect to shore power. This means that all three of the company’s ships – Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth – can now plug into shore power when docked, reducing emissions and noise while in port.

Shore power technology allows cruise ships to connect directly to a land-based source of electricity, rather than running their own engines. This can significantly reduce emissions, as well as noise pollution. The ability to connect to shore power is already available at many key ports, including Queen Mary 2’s homeport at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and Queen Anne’s homeport in Southampton, England.

Queen Elizabeth was the latest ship to be fitted with shore power capabilities, bringing the total number of Cunard ships with this technology to three. The line’s newest ship, Queen Anne, will also have shore power technology installed before her maiden voyage in May 2024.

Katie McAlister, President at Cunard, said: “By adopting shore power technology, we are taking a significant step in our ongoing commitment to reducing emissions, minimizing our carbon footprint, and fostering healthier port environments. The introduction of shore power technology aligns seamlessly with Cunard’s corporate vision and values.”

This is a significant achievement for Cunard and a positive step towards a more sustainable future for the cruise industry.