The Port of Seattle Commission has approved a new long-term lease amendment with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) that extends their partnership, which began in 2000. This agreement secures NCLH’s homeport presence in Seattle until 2035, with options to extend through 2045 depending on advancements in decarbonization and sustainability efforts.
The new lease commits NCLH to invest in Seattle’s cruise and maritime sector, supporting infrastructure, environmental initiatives, and workforce development. Commissioner Sam Cho highlighted the significance of this partnership, stating that NCLH has been an exceptional collaborator for over 25 years. NCLH’s Executive Vice President, Dan Farkas, expressed pride in continuing their investment in Seattle, emphasizing the importance of jobs and practical sustainability initiatives like their Sail & Sustain program.
Key stipulations of the agreement include a minimum of 325,000 revenue passengers annually and collaboration on a demonstration project to assess sustainable, non-fossil maritime fuels. NCLH will also work with the Port to review decarbonization progress and align on methodologies by the end of 2026. Additional commitments involve participating in underwater noise reduction programs and adopting low-emission equipment to achieve 100% zero-emission shoreside operations by 2030.
The agreement further aims to enhance local provisioning with diverse suppliers and includes support for maritime education initiatives, such as engaging with students at Maritime High School. NCLH will also contribute to anti-human trafficking efforts.
For the 2026 cruise season, NCLH plans to homeport four ships at Seattle’s Pier 66, including Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Joy, and Oceania Riviera, with over 70 scheduled calls.
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