ABB has installed a shore power system on board Cunard's Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, vessels owned and operated by Carnival UK. The Vista-class ocean liners, named after former British beloved monarchs, are two of the four Queens sisters operated by Cunard Line. As they glide across the world's oceans, carrying over 2,000 passengers in unparalleled luxury, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth are more than just ships.
Shore power is an energy efficient measure which is a key part of Carnival UK’s pathway to reducing GHG emissions. Shore power enables its ships to plug-in to shoreside electric power, where available in port, rather than running engines to power onboard services. Electrifying ships in port reduces CO2 emissions in port, as well as noise.
Carnival UK’s highest responsibility and top priority is compliance, environmental protection and the health, safety and well-being of its guests, colleagues and the people in the communities they touch and serve. It is achieving this in four ways:
- Optimizing its fleet
- Investing in energy efficiency
- Improving itinerary efficiency
- Leveraging new technology and alternative fuels.
For climate action more broadly, collaboration inside and outside the shipping industry is vital to pave the way for new ideas and solutions. As part of their commitment to sustainability, Carnival UK partnered with ABB to initiate the installation of shore power capabilities on Queen Victoria in October 2022 and Queen Elizabeth in July 2023; joining Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 in its shore power capabilities. The comprehensive installation involved system design, engineering, equipment supplies and installation, steelwork for room extension, cable work, and modifications to the existing 11kV switchboard. ABB's shore connection solutions are seamlessly integrated and play a pivotal role in decreasing emissions of CO2, nitrogen, and particulate matter.
Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, said: "We continue working toward our greenhouse gas reduction goals and ambitions through innovative emissions-reducing projects, including, upgrades to plug into shore power when alongside to save energy and fuel. The partnership with ABB has, and continues to be, important in helping us install new technologies to reach our emissions reduction goals”.