Key Aspects:
- MSC Meraviglia’s shore power connection at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal marks the first time an MSC Cruises ship has used local electrical power in New York City.
- The connection allowed the vessel to shut down its engines while docked, eliminating local emissions.
- The milestone follows a successful test on October 26, 2025, and comes on the heels of successful connections with Cunard and Princess Cruises.
For the first time, MSC Cruises has connected one of its ships to shore power in New York City. On November 2, 2025, MSC Meraviglia successfully linked to the local grid at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, allowing the ship to shut down its engines while docked and operate entirely on electricity supplied from shore.
The connection followed an official commissioning and test conducted on October 26, 2025, which verified that the system could reliably power the vessel while in port.
The ship’s successful plug-in supplied electricity for all onboard systems serving guests and crew during the call.
Lynn Torrent, president of MSC Cruises North America, said, “We are proud to see the advancement of shore power at US ports, including New York.”
She went on to praise the collaboration with local communities, elected officials, and port partners in making the progress possible.
For the winter 2025-26 season, MSC Meraviglia will be homeported in New York, offering 7-night cruises to Port Canaveral, Florida, and Nassau and the company’s private island destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, in the Bahamas.
MSC Meraviglia’s connection to shore power at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal will continue during her season, and joins a series of recent plug-ins by other lines, including Cunard and Princess Cruises.
The milestone aligns with New York City’s broader commitment to reducing emissions along its waterfront.
Andrew Kimball, president and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), noted that the city’s investments in shore power infrastructure at both Brooklyn and Manhattan cruise terminals are helping to ensure that the cruise industry remains sustainable and competitive.
“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,” he said.
Sustainability Efforts
MSC Cruises’ commitment to shore power extends across multiple regions and brands. In Malta, for example, MSC World Europa logged more than 300 hours of shore power usage in Valletta over the past 12 months, while Explora Journeys successfully tested shore power connectivity for the first time in Europe with its second ship, Explora II, at the same port the following day, October 17, 2025.
In Italy, MSC Seaview recently tested shore power at La Spezia, and MSC Poesia conducted trails at Le Havre, France.
Read Also: Brooklyn Cruise Terminal: Amenities, Pier, and What’s Nearby
In the US, MSC Cruises made its first successful shore power connection earlier this year when MSC World America plugged into the new terminal at PortMiami. The MSC Cruises facility opened in April 2025, designed from the ground up with sustainability in place.
“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,” Torrent said.
Last year alone, MSC Cruises connected to shore power in 13 different ports and achieved 142 successful connections – more than triple its total from the previous year.
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MSC Cruises has equipped all new ships built since 2017 with shore power capability and continues to retrofit older vessels.
Currently, 16 of 23 ships can connect to local grids, a figure expected to rise to 17 by the end of 2025 after MSC Magnifica completes its current retrofit at Malta’s Palumbo Malta Shipyard in December.
