Port of Seattle cruise business makes economic, environmental gains in '04

The Port of Seattle posted another record year in passenger volume and cruise ship calls in 2004 while improving protections for the Puget Sound region's air and marine waters.
Passenger volume climbed 62 percent over 2003 levels to reach 562,000. Vessel calls totaled 150 - a 52 percent increase over 2003. Both of the Port's cruise terminals and all three vessel berths were fully utilized on Saturdays and Sundays during the May through September Alaska cruise season. The Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal also had sailings every Friday this past season.

The regional economic impact of the cruise industry grew by an estimated 50 percent in 2004, according to a study released by the Port earlier this year.

"The cruise industry is creating jobs and business opportunities and generating tax revenue for our region," said Port of Seattle Commission President Paige Miller. "The industry is still young here. As it grows, so will the economic benefits that it brings."

According to the study the cruise industry was responsible for more than 1,700 jobs, $59 million in payroll, $208 million in business revenue and $5.9 million in state and local taxes in 2004.

Additional growth in the Port's cruise business is anticipated in 2005. Celebrity Cruises will add seven sailings of three-, four- and five-day Pacific Northwest Cruises that will be in Seattle on Saturdays, Thursdays and Mondays in the fall. Norwegian Cruise Line will make Seattle the homeport for a dozen 10- and 11-day Alaska cruises that will be in Port on Mondays and Thursdays.

"Adding these weekday calls combined with the high utilization we're already seeing on the weekend will help us get even more out of the investments we've made in our cruise facilities," said Port of Seattle CEO M. R. Dinsmore.

The Port will retain all of the seven day cruises homeported in Seattle in 2004 by Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises Line. Total passenger count in 2005 is expected to reach 700,000 and the number of vessel calls will climb to 170.

In the environmental arena, the Port and the cruise lines that call here took steps to add new protections for the state's marine waters and reduce air emissions from cruise ships by 30 percent.

In April the Port, the State Department of Ecology and the Northwest Cruise Ship Association signed an agreement that prohibits the discharge of untreated wastewater from cruise ships, encourages the use of the most advanced waste water treatment systems available, and requires strict monitoring and documentation of wastewater management practices.

"The Port has been very clear about its expectations regarding the protection of our marine waters," said Miller. "The cruise lines have met those expectations and worked with us to make this region a leader within the cruise industry."

In regard to air quality, the Port worked with Princess Cruise Line, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, the Environmental Protection Agency and Seattle City Light to bring shore power to one of the two cruise ship berths at Terminal 30 beginning with the 2005 cruise season.

"The result of providing shore power at this berth will be a dramatic 30 percent reduction in air emissions from cruise ships in Seattle," said Dinsmore. "Princess, the EPA, the Clean Air Agency and City are to be congratulated for their work."

"I think in 2004 the Port and the cruise industry clearly demonstrated that we can have a positive effect on the economy and protect the natural environment that makes our region such a special place," said Dinsmore.