The editors of Koehler’s Cruise Guide, Germany’s most recognized observer of the cruise industry, have named the Seattle as “Port of the Year” for 2014, citing the port’s environmental initiatives and cruise customer experience as world-class. The award was announced yesterday in Hamburg, the Company said in a press release.
“The Port of Seattle is dedicated to continuous reductions in maritime-related emissions,” said Koehler’s. “Being a pioneer in shore power for the cruise industry, the U.S. gateway to Alaska offers perfect logistics, as well as passenger friendly downtown locations.”
Koehler’s covers the international cruise industry for travel agents and tourists in the European Union’s largest economy. The Cruise Lines International Association recently estimated that 1.7 million Germans will take an overnight cruise this year – more than any other European nationality.
“Germany is an increasingly important market for Seattle’s cruise and tourism-related businesses,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner John Creighton. “This recognition will drive home the message that we offer a unique vacation experience even as we work to reduce our environmental footprint.”
Seattle currently leads all cruise homeports on the west coast in passenger volume, generating more than 4,000 jobs, $381 million in annual business revenue, and $16.8 million annually in state and local tax revenues. Each vessel call generates $2.1 million for the local economy.
About the Port of Seattle
Founded in 1911, The Port owns and operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, four container cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, one grain terminal, a public cargo terminal, four public marinas, and manages a number of real estate assets for financial return and economic advantage. The port’s operations currently help create nearly 200,000 jobs and $7 billion in wages throughout the region. Over the next 25 years, the port’s “Century Agenda” seeks to create an additional 100,000 jobs through economic growth while becoming the nation’s leading green and energy-efficient port.