The ms Zuiderdam will become the fifth ship in Holland America Line’s fleet to use shore power when it homeports in Vancouver, British Columbia, for its 2009 Alaska cruise season. Purchasing shore power – or local electricity – reduces fuel consumption and emissions and the Zuiderdam will join the ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, ms Noordam and ms Amsterdam, which have employed shore power in Seattle for Alaska cruise seasons since 2006.

The Zuiderdam will use shore power, also called cold ironing, when in Vancouver during a series of seven-day Alaska cruises between May 9 and Sept. 26, 2009. As at the Port of Seattle, the Port of Vancouver will provide “plug-in” capability for the Zuiderdam, which then will use local electricity instead of diesel fuel, for power while docked between cruises.

“Holland America Line is very pleased to be able to use shore power in Vancouver next summer,” said Richard D. Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “As a company, we are dedicated to reducing air emissions as part of our commitment to responsible environmental practices.”

Meadows noted that other ports, such as San Diego, Los Angeles and Civitavecchia, Italy (gateway to Rome), are also working towards implementing a shore power system in the future. As they come on line, Holland America Line will engineer additional ships with the capability to use and purchase this power. Holland America’s newest ship, the Signature-class ms Eurodam, is partly outfitted for shore power and can have the final plug-in additions made quickly. 

After docking under their own power, Holland America ships are hooked up to shore power within 20-30 minutes. Power generation is transferred back to the ship shortly before departure.

The Zuiderdam sails 20, seven-day roundtrip cruises from Vancouver to Alaska, departing Saturdays between May 9 and Sept. 19; on Sept. 26 the ship departs Vancouver for an 18-day cruise down the Pacific coast and through the Panama Canal to Fort Lauderdale.

The total cost to retrofit a Holland America ship with a shore power connection system is nearly $1.4 million. In addition, local ports must establish hook-ups and install a transformer dockside.

Westerdam and Oosterdam were the first to be retrofitted to use shore power at the Port of Seattle in 2006. In 2007 Noordam was retrofitted and joined Oosterdam. In 2008 Oosterdam, Westerdam and Amsterdam all used shore power in Seattle. In 2009 Westerdam and Amsterdam will use Seattle shore power while Zuiderdam “plugs in” at Vancouver.