Port of Seattle issues RFP for Terminal 46 cruise facility

The RFP was released today to the three shortlisted teams announced in May following a request for proposals in March. They are Cruise Industry Leaders Group (Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd., MSC Cruises, Carnival Corp. and SSA Marine, a subsidiary of Carrix), Global Ports Holding and Civil & Building North America, and Ports America with Jacobs Engineering Group.

The terminal is to be built at the northern end of Terminal 46, currently a marine cargo berth, and be capable of accommodating ships of up to 250,000gt at a berth up to 1,500 feet. Air draft is unlimited. The terminal should accommodate at least 5,400 passengers.

$200m project with initial 22-year term

The estimated $200m project would see a $100m investment from the port and the other 50% from the partner.

Terminal 46 has been managed since 2015 by the Northwest Seaport Alliance and an agreement with NWSA allows the port to use a portion of Terminal 46 for the cruise facility.

Consistent with that agreement, the port expects to enter into a deal with the winning cruise terminal developer for an initial term expiring at the end of 2042, with extensions for up to four five-year terms, at the port's discretion.

Terminal to become operational in 2023

Proposals are due Sept. 18, and the Port of Seattle expects to announce the winning team in first quarter 2020, with delivery of the new facility for the 2023 cruise season.

Earlier this year, the Port of Seattle Commission adopted a set of principles around cruise business development to guide this process. Details are in Motion 2019-02 adopted March 12.

In the upcoming weeks, the NWSA will issue a separate request for proposals for cargo operations at the south end of Terminal 46.