Port Metro Vancouver announces 2014 cruise season results
Port Metro Vancouver’s 2014 Alaska cruise season ended in October with strong numbers on par with the 2013 season. The 2014 season saw 812,095 passengers on 243 calls by 29 cruise ships, reflecting Vancouver’s selection as Top Homeport in North America for 2013, by Trip Advisor’s Editors Choice Awards, the company said in its press release.
Progress was made this year to reduce emissions as Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited joined fellow cruise line companies Disney, Holland America and Princess with the ability to use shore power in Vancouver. Shore power reduces marine diesel air emissions by allowing ships to shut down their engines and connect to BC Hydro’s electrical grid while at dock. Since its inception in 2009, shore power connections in Vancouver have reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by more than 11,000 tonnes. Further opportunities for shore power connections were made possible in part thanks to the addition of a third shore power connection arm at Canada Place in 2013, funded by Transport Canada.
“We are pleased to see the 2014 cruise season numbers holding strong, on par with last year” said Peter Xotta, Vice President of Planning and Operations, Port Metro Vancouver. “The decision by an additional cruise line to enable shore power was another win, providing more opportunities to reduce emissions and contribute to our local quality of life”.
The 2014 season’s cruise numbers contributed to an exceptional year for tourism in the region. Each time a cruise ship arrives, it stimulate more than $2 million in economic activity. In Vancouver, the cruise business generates approximately 283,000 hotel night stays, and over 440,000 in British Columbia, generating some 6,000 direct and indirect jobs, $220 million in wages, and tax revenues for municipal, provincial and federal governments.
“The cruise industry plays a key role in attracting visitors to Vancouver, and we’re extremely pleased with this year’s numbers,” said Ty Speer, president and CEO of Tourism Vancouver. “Overnight visitation to the city has increased over the same time last year, and part of that can absolutely be credited to the continued strength of our cruise industry. We look forward to once again sharing our incredible destination with cruise passengers in 2015.”
Predictions for the 2015 cruise season estimate ship call and passenger numbers to be similar to 2014. New to 2015, changes to the Canada Place cruise terminal passenger flows are planned to improve efficiency and optimize the passenger experience. Based on the results of a 2013 traffic flow study at the terminal, and consultation with the cruise industry, improvements will include the addition of two new escalators and an elevator, as well as additional check-in and marshalling space at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Beginning in 2015, the port will consolidate cruise business at Canada Place and retire Ballantyne Pier as an overflow cruise terminal.
About Port Metro Vancouver
Port Metro Vancouver is Canada’s largest port and the fourth largest tonnage port in North America, responsible for Canada’s trade with more than 160 world economies. Located in a naturally beautiful setting on Canada’s west coast, Port Metro Vancouver is responsible for the efficient and reliable movement of goods and passengers, and integrates environmental, social and economic sustainability initiatives into all areas of port operations. Port Metro Vancouver is committed to meaningful engagement with the communities in which it operates and the shared obligation to improve the quality of life for Canadians. Enabling the trade of approximately $184 billion in goods annually, the port generates an estimated 100,000 jobs, $6.1 billion in wages, and $9.7 billion in GDP across Canada. As a non-shareholder, financially self-sufficient corporation established by the Government of Canada, Port Metro Vancouver operates pursuant to the Canada Marine Act, and is accountable to the elected federal Minister of Transport.
