The Port of Seattle Commission has approved a 10-year preferential berthing agreement with Carnival Corporation, encompassing CCL/Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, HAL/Holland America Line, and Cunard Line. This agreement ensures these brands will continue to homeport in Seattle (Washington USA) for the Alaskan seasons.
The long-term agreement, spanning from 2024 to 2033 with an option to extend to 2038, aligns with the Port’s goals of achieving zero-emission sustainability, promoting local economic development, and enhancing the economic impact of the cruise industry in the region.
Key Elements of the Agreement:
- Economic and Passenger Impact: The agreement anticipates generating US$186 million in revenue and accommodating a minimum of 550,000 revenue passengers annually over the 10-year period. This revenue could increase to US$273 million if extended to the full 15 years.
- Advancing Shore Power Goals: Carnival Corporation, a pioneer in shore power in Seattle, will collaborate with the Port to ensure all ships at all cruise berths are plugged in by 2027. In 2023, Carnival's vessels accounted for 100% of the shore power connections at the Port of Seattle with 102 vessel calls.
- Biofuel Pilot Project: Carnival Corporation and the Port will initiate a project to explore the use of sustainable maritime fuels. This project aims to identify challenges and opportunities in transitioning to alternative fuels on a larger scale.
- Local Sourcing Pilot Program: Carnival Corporation will enhance its local sourcing efforts by developing a pilot program in collaboration with the Port. This program will support small, diverse, disadvantaged, local, and tribal suppliers, promoting broader economic benefits beyond the cruise industry.
- Promoting Seattle Tourism: Carnival's cruise lines will encourage guests to extend their stays in Seattle before and after their cruises, thereby boosting the local economy.
- Educational and Workforce Development: Carnival Corporation will partner with maritime not-for-profits to support curriculum development, experiential learning opportunities, and internships, aiming to strengthen the maritime workforce pipeline in the region.
Environmental and Sustainability Initiatives: Carnival Corporation will provide data for the Port’s cruise dashboard to track passenger, environmental, and economic impact metrics. The Port of Seattle, in collaboration with cruise ports in Alaska and British Columbia, continues to explore the creation of the world’s first cruise-focused Green Corridor from Seattle to Alaska, leveraging innovative decarbonization strategies.
Historical Context and Future Commitment: In 2006, the Port of Seattle, with investments from Carnival Corporation, became the first home port in North America to offer shore power at two cruise berths. As of today, 66% of all cruise calls to the Port are equipped to plug in. In 2023, Carnival Corporation brands accounted for 140 ship calls to Seattle, representing nearly half of the Port’s cruise calls. This number is set to grow with 6 ships committed to Seattle in 2024, increasing to 7 in 2025, all equipped with shore power capability.