Vancouver: The Port of Vancouver celebrates two decades of consecutive growth in Vancouver's cruise business, according to statistics released today by the Vancouver Port Authority (VPA). The number of revenue passengers through the Port of Vancouver grew by 6 per cent to 1,125,252 revenue passengers.



"The cruise industry today represents a vital component of the economy of the Lower Mainland with economic benefits for communities that border the port and beyond," said David Stowe, Chairman, Vancouver Port Authority. "Today we recognize the outstanding efforts of the cruise lines, the North West CruiseShip Association, labour, passenger and ship agents, terminal operators, government agencies and local cruise industry suppliers who deserve our thanks in making the Vancouver cruise business a continued success."



The number of sailings increased to 342 sailings in 2002, up 11 sailings from a year earlier. The increase in revenue passengers and sailings reflects the cruise industry's support in the Vancouver-Alaska itinerary in the wake of the tragedy of September 11, larger capacity cruise vessels and the frequency of 3- to 4-night Pacific Northwest cruises between Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle.



"While we celebrate this milestone in the cruise industry, it comes at a critical point in the development and competitiveness of the Port," said Captain Gordon Houston, President and Chief Executive Officer, Vancouver Port Authority. "We face stiff competition from our U.S. competitors, who are aggressively going after our business. To date, this region has lost $150 million in economic benefits because of lost business to Seattle. Unless changes are made to legislation under the Canada Marine Act review, we will lose our ability to compete with U.S. ports. Vancouver and other Canadian ports will decline, jobs will be lost and our economy will suffer," said Houston.



"In addition to the changes we are seeking, we have also identified the need to work together with other B.C. ports and stakeholders to diversify and grow the cruise sector and offer an expanded range of products," said Houston.



The Port of Vancouver is homeport to the Vancouver-Alaska cruise with two modern cruise ship terminals: Canada Place, including a recently added third berth, and Ballantyne Pier, with two berths. Vancouver's cruise business directly generates $177 million in wages, $228 million in GDP and $508 million in economic output.



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For more information, please contact:

Anne McMullin,
Director, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs
Vancouver Port Authority
(604) 665-9069 (office)
(604) 665-9073 (fax)
(604) 218-1403 (cellular)
anne.mcmullin@portvancouver.com

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