• 3 min de lectura
• 3 min de lectura
The Port of Seattle Commission approved a new amendment to the long-term lease agreement with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), extending a long-standing collaboration that began in 2000 and reinforcing the shared commitment to environmental progress, community benefit, and economic opportunities.
The agreement guarantees the cruise line's presence as a homeport in Seattle until 2035, with options for extension until 2045, depending on continuous progress in decarbonization and sustainability performance.
Under the modified lease agreement, NCLH will continue to invest in the future of Seattle's maritime and cruise sector through infrastructure contributions, new environmental initiatives, and collaborations with the community and employees.
"The Port of Seattle's cruise sector is a particularly promising point in our business lines, with a growing number of passengers, revenue, and community benefits. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has been an exceptional partner of the Port of Seattle for over a quarter-century, and I am pleased to endorse this new agreement today," said Commissioner Sam Cho.
"We are proud to continue our long-standing collaboration with the Port of Seattle. This agreement allows us to continue investing in Seattle as a homeport, supports the continuous growth of local jobs and businesses, and enables us to work collaboratively on practical sustainability initiatives through our Sail & Sustain program," stated Dan Farkas, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Development Officer of NCLH.
A guaranteed minimum of 325,000 passengers annually is the commitment that ensures a constant economic impact for Seattle's tourism, transportation, hotel, and maritime sectors. During the 10-year term, this guarantee represents an estimated USD 116 million in revenue for the port, with the possibility of reaching up to USD 316 million if additional extensions are opted for.
Furthermore, the cruise line will collaborate on a pilot project to test the use of sustainable, non-fossil maritime fuels in Seattle, which will help identify the infrastructure, technology, and supply conditions necessary for future fleet-wide transitions.
Additionally, NCLH commits to reviewing decarbonization progress with the port and developing a mutually agreed methodology before December 31, 2026; continuing to participate in the ECHO and Quiet Sound underwater noise reduction programs and encouraging stevedores to adopt low and zero-emission equipment, with the goal of achieving 100% emission-free port operations by 2030, and providing incentives to land operators who use alternative transportation methods with low greenhouse gas emissions.
The agreement includes commitments to expand local sourcing with small, diverse, and disadvantaged suppliers, as well as to support maritime education. This may include collaboration with Maritime High School students through ship visits and roundtables, and sponsoring local events, such as fundraising campaigns for charities.
Furthermore, NCLH must join the efforts of the Port's Human Trafficking Allies Commitment.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has played a fundamental role in Seattle's cruise industry since 2000, when it became the first major cruise line to establish its homeport for Alaska cruises from this destination, marking 26 years of uninterrupted collaboration in 2026. It was one of the first contributors to investments in shore power infrastructure; today, its vessels connect to the shore power grid while docked.
For the 2026 season, NCLH will homeport four ships at Pier 66, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Joy, and Oceania Riviera, with over 70 scheduled calls.
Source: portalportuario
