NYCEDC Announces Expansion of Shore Power Infrastructure at Brooklyn Cruise Terminal
MSC Meraviglia Connects to Shore Power for First Time; Follows Recent Connections of Enchanted Princess, Queen Mary II
NYC Cruise Industry Welcomes More than One Million Passengers Annually, Generating $500 Million in Economic Activity and Supporting 3,000 Local Jobs
NEW YORK, NY—New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) announced the expansion of shore power infrastructure at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal (BCT) which allows more ships to connect to shore power and reduce cruise ship emissions when docked. The improvements have facilitated new connections for MSC’s Meraviglia, which was able to connect for the first time on October 26, and for Princess Cruises’ Enchanted Princess on August 30, 2025. The expansion of shore power at BCT also comes as NYCEDC finalizes the Manhattan Cruise Terminal (MCT) Master Plan to redevelop, modernize, and bring shore power to the site.
As part of an ongoing commitment to sustainability and compliance with Local Law 54, NYCEDC continues to advance shore power enhancements at the BCT, enabling more ships to plug in and eliminate emissions while at berth. Made possible through the deployment of a Mobile Cable Positioning System acquired earlier in the year and additional connection points along the length of the berth—important investments that provide necessary flexibility and expands ship compatibility across berths—the MSC Meraviglia has successfully connected to the enhanced shore power system, marking a major milestone more than a year in the making. MSC joins Cunard and Princess Cruises who both began regularly connecting in 2016, emphasizing New York’s commitment to the electrification and sustainability of the waterfront.
The cruise industry continues to be a major economic engine for New York City, welcoming nearly 1.5 million passengers in 2024 through the Manhattan and Brooklyn Cruise Terminals and generating an estimated $500 million in economic activity across the city. This activity supports nearly 3,000 local jobs, more than 2,000 of which are in tourism-related sectors such as hotels, restaurants, retail, and transportation.
“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,” said NYCEDC President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “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.”
“We’re proud to see shore power expanding across U.S. ports, including here in New York,” said Lynn Torrent, President of MSC Cruises, North America. “Collaboration with local communities, elected officials, and port partners is key to making this progress possible. MSC Cruises is committed to connecting whenever the technology is available as part of our ongoing efforts to reduce emissions and reach net zero emissions.”
“As the pioneer of shore power in the cruise industry, we understand progress is only possible when ports, communities, and industry come together with a shared commitment to sustainability,” said Katie McAlister, president of Cunard. “We applaud NYCEDC for expanding shore power at Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and demonstrating the kind of bold, future-focused leadership that moves our industry forward. We’re eager to plug in during even more calls to New York as we continue advancing our focus on reducing emissions toward our aspiration of net zero emissions.”
“After years of being promised a mobile jib that will help us improve air quality here in Red Hook, the day has finally come!” said New York City Councilmember Alexa Avilés. “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.”
The new shore power infrastructure at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal comes as NYCEDC doubles down on investments to modernize the Brooklyn waterfront. In September, after more than a year of extensive engagement with community members and stakeholders, the Brooklyn Marine Terminal (BMT) Task Force passed, by two-thirds majority, a historic vision plan to turn BMT into a fully electric, modern maritime port and vibrant mixed-use community. The BMT plan will also include the redevelopment of the cruise terminal.
In 2016, BCT became the first port on the east coast to have shore power. Globally, BCT is one of only 33 cruise terminals to have shore power; in the entire world only three percent of all cruise terminals have this ability.
In an effort to build on the success of shore power at BCT and expand shore power to Manhattan, NYCEDC is also developing long-term plans for MCT, with one of the major goals being to electrify the terminal and provide shore power capabilities that align with the city’s broader climate and clean-energy objectives. Together, these coordinated efforts at BCT and MCT reflect New York City’s leadership in sustainable port operations and reinforce its commitment to cleaner air, resilient infrastructure, and a thriving cruise industry that continues to drive economic opportunity for New Yorkers.
About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city's future economy. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
