Mayport in Florida could become the first cruise ship terminal on the US East Coast to offer shoreside power, if plans get given the go-ahead.

The Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) is currently in discussions with residents to build a $60 million terminal along Mayport's waterfront that includes initiatives to reduce port and ship-related emissions, according to a local newspaper report.

The port has put forward a proposal to introduce cold-ironing and to "prohibit cruise lines from using bunker fuel when they're dockside" to push ships to use cleaner burning distillate fuel instead of intermediate fuel oil (IFO) bunker grades.

"Under the port's plan, the ships could use a different fuel to operate auxiliary engines wwhile the passengers disembark and the ships take on supplies and pick up new passengers," said Nancy Rubin, a port spokeswoman.

IFO bunker fuel currently supplied at Jacksonville's cruise terminal has a little less than 2% sulphur, according to a spokesperson for Colonial Oil Industries.

Marine gasoil (MGO), a low-sulphur alternative, is also available at the port.

The terminal proposal will be put forward to the City Council committee in the next few weeks.

Shore power has become increasingly common on the US West Coast. This would be the first terminal on the East Coast to install this emission reducing measure.

On January 2, 2009 operators of vessels meeting specified criteria visiting Californian ports will be required to turn off their engines and connect to shoreside power under a new California Air Resources Board (ARB) regulation.

By 2014, the regulations include provisions requiring a fleet to reduce its onboard auxiliary-diesel-engine power generation while docked at the berth by at least 50% from the fleet’s baseline power generation.