Port of Montreal 2023 cruise season begins with record number of shore-power links planned
Launched with Holland America Line's Zaandam arriving on May 1st, the Port of Montreal 2023 cruise season is under way with plans for eight ships to connect to shore power during 19 port calls in total or more than a third of all cruise visits this year.
“In addition to generating major economic benefits for the city, the cruise industry is a tourism sector that is evolving towards better energy efficiency and more sustainable practices," notes Martin Imbleau, the Montreal Port Authority’s president and CEO. "Not only are passenger numbers up over last year, gradually returning to pre-pandemic levels, but more and more cruise ships are using our shorepower system.”
The Port of Montreal is one of only 25 ports in the world to offer shore power to cruise ships.
Its Grand Quai has been equipped with plug-in facilities since 2017. The facilities can accommodate the increasing number of cruise ships equipped to take advantage of plug-in power to reduce GHG emissions by an average of five tonnes per connection.
Holland-America, Regent Seven Seas, Hapag-Lloyd, and Viking are the four lines with a combined total of eight ships equipped to connect to shore power while at the Port of Montreal.
The port expects to welcome 20% more visitors than last year. The more than 45,000 international passengers will arrive during more than 50 ship calls scheduled until October 30th.