Malta: A milestone in our shore power journey

On 18 March, Carnival UK & P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow met with the Prime Minister of Malta, Robert Abela, at a ceremony to mark the signing of a Shore Power Agreement with Carnival Corporation in our home port of Valletta, Malta. 

Carnival Corporation pioneered shore power in the cruise industry as part of our strategy to improve air quality and reduce emissions. Today roughly two-thirds of our global fleet can plug into the electric grid while in port and switch off our engines when available and operationally feasible, helping to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG), other emissions and noise.

P&O Cruises and Cunard, together with all brands in our Carnival family, continue to make significant investment to retrofit our ships with shore power capability. Timely to the signing of the agreement in Malta, Azura is currently undergoing a drydock refit in Valletta and once complete she’ll be fully equipped and ready to connect with shore power systems worldwide. 

At the ceremony in Valletta, the Prime Minister was accompanied by the Minister of Transport, Chris Bonnett and Minister for Energy Miriam Dalli as well as the CEO of Transport Malta, Kurt Farrugia. The British Deputy High Commissioner and US attaché also attended the event.

Paul spoke about our brands’ long history and relationship with Malta and the importance of the agreement to Carnival Corporation. The introduction of fully electrified cruise berths in Valletta and the signing of this long-term agreement reflect our mutual commitment towards our destinations and sustainable tourism through more energy-efficient cruising.  

Azura home ports every week in Valletta during the summer season as part of P&O Cruises fly-cruise programme which facilitates itineraries in the Western, Central and Eastern Mediterranean, and is a significant source of tourism in Malta. 

The Prime Minister spoke of the important economic contribution that cruise makes to Malta with cruise contributing €88m annually to the economy, with nearly €40m directly generated by passengers during their visits. Many of the corporation’s brands including P&O Cruises, Cunard, AIDA, Costa, Holland America, Seabourn and Princess Cruises regularly call at Malta. 

Carnival UK & P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said:

“P&O Cruises has a long and rich history with many of the destinations to which we sail. We listen and collaborate with them to share cultures, promote sustainable travel, and develop good practices. Today we celebrate the signing of the shore power agreement as an important milestone on this journey, together with Malta and the Port of Valletta.

“Through these actions and our valued relationships, we ensure our cruises in Malta bring shared social and financial value, protecting the local culture and history, whilst taking steps to look after the natural environment.”