Port Commission approves .5 Million Investment in Second Cruise Terminal

Terminal 30, on the East Duwamish Waterway, will be the site of the Port of Seattle's second cruise terminal. Port of Seattle Commissioners voted today to invest $16.5 million to convert the vacant container terminal for use as a passenger facility.

"It's exciting to see the cruise industry growing and bringing economic vitality to this region," said Port of Seattle Commission Chair Bob Edwards. "Every time a cruise ship comes to Seattle it injects about $800,000 into the local economy," Edwards said. "That money creates jobs and supports our tax base."

In 2003, the Port expects more than 100 cruise ships and over 400,000 passengers to come to Seattle.

"That's a dramatic increase from 1999, when we saw just six ships and 7,000 passengers," said Port of Seattle CEO M. R. Dinsmore. "Cruise ships add a new element to our strong maritime tradition in Seattle and help build our tourism and hospitality industries, as well," Dinsmore added.

The new cruise terminal will include a 90,000 square foot, metal building, abundant on-site parking, a pair of gangways, security equipment, fencing, signage and facilities for the Immigration and Naturalization Service and U.S. Customs Service. The pier at terminal 30 is long enough to berth two cruise ships at a time.

Terminal 30, which became available in June 2002 when the container lines calling there moved to Terminal 5, offers several advantages over Pier 90, which had previously been identified as the site of the second cruise terminal.

"It's close to the airport, downtown and Pioneer Square," Dinsmore said. "It also has ample acreage for all of the activities that support cruise operations."

The new cruise facility will be ready for the 2003 cruise season and will serve vessels operated by Holland America Line and Princess Cruises. The Port's first cruise terminal at Bell Street Pier opened in 2000, and serves ships operated by Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International.