Norwegian Cruise Line has inked a multi-year deal with the Port of Los Angeles, which includes measures designed to support the port's clean air initiatives. Since the beginning of the year, NCL's Norwegian Star, based in Los Angeles, has been using only low-sulfur fuel while in the port and also participating in the port's Vessel Speed Reduction program, which limits air emissions by slowing ships down when they are within 50 nautical miles of the port. "We applaud the Port of Los Angeles for their forward-thinking initiatives," said Colin Veitch, president and CEO of NCL. In addition, NCL will invoke shore power when it becomes available in 2008. Shore powering, or "cold ironing," allows vessels to turn off their diesel-burning engines while docked and plug into cleaner electrical power with lower air emissions. Last week, Princess Cruises announced it would do the same when its ships are docked in Los Angeles.
