EPA to Undertake Emissions Study at Major Cruise Port

The study is said to be intended to inform sustainable development at the port

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Thursday announced that it has signed a partnership agreement with the Broward County Port Everglades Department to study air emissions at the seaport.

The study is said to be intended to inform sustainable development at the port - noted to be one of the top three busiest cruise ports in the world - and comes at a time when the cruise industry is facing increasing scrutiny over its emissions.

"Future emission inventories will help track the port's progress toward the goals and evaluate the effectiveness of technology and operational strategies used to reduce emissions at the port and surrounding areas," stated the EPA, adding that the project will help in the development of future methods and lessons learned that can be shared with other ports and related agencies.

The study, part of EPA's Ports Initiative, will work to coordinate research and modeling encompassing all port-related operations, technologies, and growth scenarios.

EPA says it aims to develop emissions estimates for areas outside the port's boundaries used by Port Everglades customers, including highways and railways.

"This agreement is an important step forward in developing emission reduction scenarios and inventories for port communities," said Christopher Grundler, Director of EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality.

"With this collaborative initiative, together EPA and Port Everglades can support sustainable development and cleaner air."

Last November, Seattle residents said extended shore power infrastructure should be "top of the list" of priorities for the Port of Seattle Terminal 5 (T5) modernisation project.