By
Alex Smith |
The Port of Seattle Commission has approved a 10-year preferential berthing agreement with Carnival Corporation, which includes the Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Cunard brands continuing to home port in Seattle for the Alaska cruise season.
The agreement sets a 10-year term from 2024 to 2033, with a mutually agreeable option to extend for five more years from 2034 to 2038. The agreement builds on prior agreements between Seattle and Carnival Corporation and adds new environmental, sustainability and social commitments in support of economic investment at the port.
These commitments include bringing in an anticipated $186 million in revenue and a minimum of 550,000 revenue passengers annually. Revenue could grow to a total of $273 million if the agreement is extended to 15 years.
Carnival Corporation will also help Seattle realise its ambition to have all ships at cruise berths plug into shore power by 2027. Having first installed shore power equipment at the port nearly 20 years ago, Carnival will seek commercial agreements with other cruise companies to plug in their ship’s to its shore power assets at Terminal 91.
Port of Seattle and Carnival Corporation will collaborate on a non-fossil fuel demonstration project and study to identify the end-to-end challenges and opportunities for using sustainable maritime fuels at scale in Seattle. The results of this project will then be used to support other work in the sector to transition to alternative3 fuels.
The agreement also requires Carnival Corporation to accelerate its sourcing efforts to partner with local suppliers. To achieve this, it will develop a pilot programme for Seattle that will promote and support small, diverse, disadvantaged, local and tribal suppliers. The programme will also focus on building the capability of suppliers to help create benefits beyond the cruise sector.
Carnival’s cruise lines will be committed to seek ways to further promote and encourage their guests to stay in Seattle before and after their cruise to drive greater economic impact for the city and region. The cruise company will also work with educators to support curriculum development, field-based learning opportunities and internships to help build the maritime workforce pipeline in the region.
“This long-term agreement provides economic certainty for the port and local businesses who depend upon cruise, while also strengthening our partnership,” said Steve Metruck, executive director of the Port of Seattle. “Carnival Corporation has been a valuable partner for constant innovation on environmental sustainability and expanding economic opportunity. We appreciate their support for these shared goals and are eager to get to work on the commitments in this agreement.”
Carnival Corporation’s brands made 140 calls to Seattle in 2023, representing almost half of the port’s total cruise calls. In 2024, Carnival will have six ships visiting or sailing from Seattle, growing to seven ships in 2025.
“Our guests love Seattle’s stunning natural beauty, urban charm, and eclectic assortment of attractions, and as our gateway to Alaska, one of our top markets globally,” said Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation. “For the past 20 years, we have worked closely with the Port of Seattle to pioneer shore-power and secure the cruise industry’s role as a vital economic engine for the region. We are proud to continue our tradition of teamwork with this new agreement that will help further our economic, social, and environmental contributions to the region.”