‘An ominous presence’: New York City bill aims to restrict cruise ship pollution

Proposed legislation would crack down on diesel-powered liners by requiring them to connect to city’s power grid when docked

Efforts to regulate how cruise ships operate in New York City waterways have locals speaking out about the negative effects the vessels have had on their communities – and their health.

More than 200 cruise ships dock in New York each year, bringing an estimated 1.3 million passengers and $420m in tourism spending to the city. But the industry takes an environmental toll: just one cruise ship docked for a day at port can emit diesel exhaust equivalent to 34,400 idling trucks.