Plans to build a 'greener' $60 million cruise terminal in Jacksonville moved one step closer this week.

Members of the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) met with the City Council on Monday to discuss plans to begin construction of the terminal in Mayport.

If it gets the go-ahead, Mayport will be the first cruise ship terminal on the US East coast to offer shoreside power.

As part of the proposal, the port has also put forward plans to prohibit cruise lines from using high sulphur bunker fuel when they are dockside.

"Cruise ships will also be required to burn low-sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) while in port instead of intermediate fuel oil (IFO) bunker grades," a company report said.

Investigations into other environmental implications are ongoing as part of an initial study.

The port said a new terminal is needed because ships must sail beneath electric power lines and the Dames Point Bridge, which has height restrictions, to get to the current cruise terminal site.

Locals have raised concerns that terminal plans could destroy the shrimping industry in the area.

"JAXPORT and the cruise lines that service Jacksonville currently adhere to standards that are more stringent than environmental laws and regulations applicable to the United States and the State of Florida," a company report stated.

The Jacksonville City Council has delayed a vote on the issue until February 10.