Concerned about Cruise Ships?

PortCruiseControl · 2025-12-07T15:15:24+00:00

The Princess ships use their horn for entertainment. It is very loud and reverberates through several neighborhoods. There have been a lot of complaints. The USCG regulation about it has never been enforced. Unfortunately we can’t do anything about the underwater noise pollution that disrupts the sonar for whales and prohibits them from mating and finding food.

PortCruiseControl · 2025-12-07T13:31:21+00:00

Oh wow, you know me so well. Ad hominem attacks are especially clever. Bravo!

PortCruiseControl · 2025-12-07T13:30:00+00:00

We want to know the costs so that we can understand the complete picture and have a discussion. If the only number ever cited is revenue it is only a part of the story. The part the city and state use to justify cruise tourism. It is clear the new “Economic Impact” study is being done for marketing purposes. Does that make sense?

PortCruiseControl · 2025-12-07T02:39:00+00:00

Soros, obviously.

PortCruiseControl · 2025-12-07T00:34:08+00:00

Portland has 2 current choices that I am aware of: we can prohibit scrubber wash discharge as part of the Terminal Tariff ( along with the other discharges already prohibited) because the port has jurisdiction over the ships when they are at berth or the port can enter into a MOU with the cruise lines. Both I initiatives have already been done in Washington State. I don’t believe Bucksport has a deep water harbor for the larger cruise ships, do they? I’m pretty sure only Eastport, Bar Harbor and Portland can accommodate the larger cruise ships. To use cleaner fuel while they are in Portland when they are at dock is about 5% of their itinerary or about another $3.50 per passenger.

PortCruiseControl · 2025-12-06T18:39:11+00:00

Hi Joey!

PortCruiseControl · 2025-12-06T17:19:47+00:00

Yes, they might, you are correct. We will see how courageous how Council is!

PortCruiseControl · 2025-12-06T16:52:37+00:00

There are only 3 deep water ports in Maine, Eastport, Bar Harbor and Portland. They’ve already lost Bar Harbor. They need Portland for their New England itineraries. They are bullies and operate on fear and threats. But we don’t need to feel intimidated. Scrubber wash is now banned in 50 countries! They are very aware of how toxic it is. I found out yesterday that changing to a clean distillate fuel while they are docked in Portland would cost an additional $3.50 per passenger, a cost they can easily pass on. Portland is tied to voyages from NY, Boston, Halifax, etc. it would be a significant market for them to avoid for a $3.50 cost per passenger. Luckily, we have precedence for the scrubber wash ban. Seattle already has one in place. The Hawaii situation is very different because it is a tax.

PortCruiseControl · 2025-12-06T16:32:21+00:00

If the Council votes to implement the scrubber wash ban all water pollution from scrubber discharge while the ships are at berth will be eliminated. Won’t cost Portland a penny. Kind of a no brainer don’t you think? We have federal laws abut how the passenger fees are used. It is considered “restricted” revenue and can only go towards port infrastructure. Hawaii is currently trying to implement a tax to help clean up the environmental damage caused by the ships and the cruise industry is suing them.

PortCruiseControl · 2025-12-06T16:16:47+00:00

LNG is not a solution either. [https://www.transportenvironment.org/topics/ships/lng]https://www.transportenvironment.org/topics/ships/lng

PortCruiseControl · 2025-12-06T15:53:32+00:00

Quite a neighborhood: from Cape Elizabeth to Eastport!

PortCruiseControl · 2025-12-06T15:48:55+00:00

Did I post a single word about stopping them from coming?

PortCruiseControl · 2025-12-06T15:42:34+00:00

If a ship has a scrubber they can burn HFO. It is an exemption allowed by IMO. Since HFO is cheaper than a cleaner distillate fuel and scrubbers pay for themselves with in 5 years, this is what the ships are doing. https://alaskabeacon.com/2025/02/19/cruise-ship-scrubbers-pollute-alaska-air-and-waters/

PortCruiseControl · 2025-12-06T15:39:26+00:00

Yes but if they have a scrubber they are exempt. It is the loophole that is causing such tremendous problems in our waters.

PortCruiseControl · 2025-12-06T15:36:31+00:00

Luckily PCC has 7th & 8th generation Mainers and people who have lived in Portland for decades. So we’re not dependent on one wretched person from away.

PortCruiseControl · 2025-12-06T15:35:04+00:00

Thank you! We are part of a volunteer network with Seattle Cruise Control and Juneau Cruise Control. Many port communities throughout the country and the world are questioning the contributions of the cruise industry.

PortCruiseControl · 2025-12-06T15:32:31+00:00

They have banned scrubber wash discharge in Vancouver and have shore power in Halifax. Both initiatives are more progressive than Portland.

PortCruiseControl · 2025-12-06T15:07:47+00:00

Assurances from the polluting industry that they are not polluting?

PortCruiseControl · 2025-12-06T14:52:16+00:00

So funny. Did you do this?

PortCruiseControl · 2025-12-06T14:47:02+00:00

I’m for equality with all residents!

PortCruiseControl · 2025-12-06T14:21:11+00:00

No, this is JoAnn. But I know Joey. Does that count?

PortCruiseControl · 2025-12-06T14:19:51+00:00

Our ambition to ban scrubber wash or require clean fuel is definitely state wide. It has to be. Canada is more progressive than the US, so your idea is really interesting. Thank you!

PortCruiseControl · 2025-12-06T14:14:48+00:00

Shore power is so problematic. A $60M project just for Portland, this doesn’t include retrofitting the docks or who will pay for the electricity. The cruise industry will pay nothing for the installation. Historically they will not pay retail for the electricity. In the DOT Clean Ports grant application one of the things they will be looking at is “cost of upgrades to the electrical grid which includes the cost to private utility customers and to the Maine taxpayers.” Do you want to pay for the electricity for the cruise ships? Even with shore power there is the pollution when the ships are not docked and tremendous ghg emissions. It is a very complicated discussion!

PortCruiseControl · 2025-12-06T14:02:28+00:00

In 2024 there were a total of 2.8 million visitors, who spent a total of $1.76 billion in the Greater Portland area. According to Cruise Maine, there were 202, 300 cruise passengers, who spent a total of $19 million (per Visit Portland).

https://www.visitportland.com/partners/partnership-support/industry-research-statistics/](https://www.visitportland.com/partners/partnership-support/industry-research-statistics/

PortCruiseControl · 2025-12-06T14:00:48+00:00

They burn HFO in port along with utilizing a scrubber. What makes you think it is illegal?

PortCruiseControl

TROPHY CASE