By Dave Sebastian

Leaders of cruise operators on Wednesday signed an agreement with Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava to work toward using "shore power" at the Dante B. Fascell Port of Miami-Dade.

Shore power is a mechanism that lets ships turn their diesel engines off and connect to local electric power from a transformer at the dock, therefore reducing emissions.

The companies that signed the agreement are Carnival Corp., Royal Caribbean Group, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., Walt Disney Co.'s Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises (USA) Inc. and Virgin Voyages. Florida Power & Light Co., a Florida-based utility subsidiary of NextEra Energy Inc., also signed the agreement.

The agreement comes as cruise operators are nearing a year of sailing hiatus in the U.S. The timing for U.S. voyages ultimately depends on receiving a permit from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is requiring operators to conduct mock sailings and apply for a certificate at least 60 days before offering passenger cruises.

"This may represent a significant financial investment by all involved," cruise executives, Ms. Levine Cava and Florida Power & Light's chief executive said in a statement.

The Miami-Dade county government said former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine will advise on the initiative.

The Miami Herald, citing port dock reports, reported earlier this month that at least 15 ships capable of shore power have stayed at PortMiami hundreds of times since 2011. Other U.S. ports including those in Brooklyn, N.Y., Los Angeles and Juneau, Alaska, have installed shore power, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Write to Dave Sebastian at dave.sebastian@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

02-17-21 1707ET