| Photo from Port Metro Vancouver |
Vancouver: Port Metro Vancouver has concluded a successful 2012 Vancouver-Alaska cruise season, posting a modest increase in passengers more than the 663,000 passengers the Port welcomed in 2011.
Between May and October 2012, Port Metro Vancouver’s two cruise terminals, at Canada Place and Ballantyne, welcomed 667,000 passengers on 28 different vessels with 191 cruise ship calls.
The 2012 season also marked another year with the award-winning shore power installation at Canada Place, the first of its kind in Canada. Shore power-equipped cruise ships can plug into the electrical grid and shut off their engines while in port to eliminate air emissions. During the cruise season, 60 vessels connected to the Port’s shore power facilities, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2,266 tonnes.
Recently, Port Metro Vancouver was proud to be recognized by Cruise Insight Magazine Award with the “Best Turnaround Port Operations” (best home port). The awards are voted by cruise lines, with the Port candidates selected from a vast list of international cruise destinations.
For the upcoming 2013 cruise season, Port Metro Vancouver is anticipating an increase of more than 20% in cruise passengers in 2013, with more than 820,000 passengers expected to pass through the Port’s two cruise terminals. The Port is also looking forward to welcoming four new vessels that will be homeported in Vancouver next year: the Disney Wonder, the Norwegian Sun, Oceania’s Regatta, and the Amsterdam.
Vancouver’s cruise industry is an important contributor to the region’s economy, generating more than $2 million in economic activity for every cruise ship call in Vancouver.
Port Metro Vancouver is Canada’s largest and most diversified Port, trading $75 billion in goods annually with more than 160 nations, and generating 129,500 jobs nationally.
For more information on Press Release
Barbara Joy-Kinsella
Media Relations, Port Metro Vancouver
604-665-9267
