Shore power, economic impact highlight Seattle cruise season opener
Community leaders came together at the Port of Seattle’s Pier 66 Saturday to welcome Norwegian Bliss for the 2023 season's first cruise and talk up shore power and economic impact.
April 16, 2023
During the April 15 to Oct. 30 season, the port forecasts 289 calls with 1.4m revenue passengers, or 700,000 travelers, to Alaska and back.
$4m economic benefit per homeporting ship call
The Port of Seattle projects the season will support more than $900m in economic activity, 5,500 jobs and generate $14.5m in statewide taxes. Each homeported vessel injects over $4m into the local economy every time it provisions.
'Seattle has always felt like our second home since we launched the industry’s first round-trip cruises to Alaska over 20 years ago,' Norwegian Cruise Line President David Herrera said. He added NCL is committed to contributing to the local economy and promoting sustainable tourism while working with the port and local government to provide the best Alaska cruise experience.
Green corridor first mover
'This six-month cruise season delivers a critical economic boost for all of King County,' Port of Seattle Executive Director Steve Metruck said. 'The demand for the Seattle to Alaska cruise itinerary made it possible for our port to expand investments in workforce development and clean energy infrastructure.'
Metruck noted Seattle is a first mover in the world's only cruise-focused 'green corridor,' which aims to decarbonize the route from the Pacific Northwest to Alaska. On April 6, cruise lines, ports, cities and decarbonization experts gave an update on the initiative.
Shore power progress
The port also forecasts 111 shore power connections at Terminal 91 this year, nearly double the number last year.
This is progress toward Seattle's goal to have 100% of homeporting cruise ships able to connect to power on every call by 2030. In 2023, 100% of Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises ships are shore power capable.
The port expects to complete its third berth electrification project at Pier 66 in 2024, making Seattle one of the world’s leading ports for shore power use.
Cruisers help activate the downtown
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell said the hundreds of thousands of cruisers will help activate the downtown as a 'safe and welcoming place for neighbors and visitors,' adding the cruise season 'makes a real difference for downtown businesses, allowing us to share what makes our city special with tourists from around the world through local retail, restaurants, hospitality and hotels.'
And Tammy Blount-Canavan, president and CEO of Visit Seattle, said 'This taste of what the destination offers not only enhances the overall cruise experience, it also encourages those passengers to return to Seattle to explore all the things that make the Emerald City and the Pacific Northwest such a magical place, expanding the economic impact of this valued part of the tourism economy.'
Job creation
The cruise business provides more than $200m in labor income for working men and women, according to Matt Ventoza, VP of ILWU Local 19. 'We are proud to partner with the Port of Seattle in the creation of these jobs in so many sectors and industries, from the waterfront to farms, restaurants and hotels across the state,' he said.
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