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Boating
BoatingPort of Seattle News
By Jo Bailey and Carl Nyberg
May 09, 2002 -- Fishermen's Terminal Fuel Dock ClosedAs expected, Rainier Petroleum Fuel Dock at Fishermen's Terminal has been closed down by the Port of Seattle. Port Commissioners voted unanimously to close the facility at their April 30 meeting. The fuel dock was used by fishers and others transiting the Ship Canal.
Mick Shultz, media relations officer for the Port of Seattle, said that Rainier Petroleum sold 6/10 of one percent of the total gallons of fuel sold to fishers. Three other fuel docks inside the locks, Ballard Oil, Covich Williams and North Star sold the rest of the fuel, he said.
"This action to move out was initiated by the tenant, Rainier Petroleum," said Shultz. "The cost to the Port and the tenant (Rainier Petroleum) to continue there, including reconfiguring piping to the fuel dock, would have been $250,000. The tenant didn't want to bear half the cost of $125,000. The Port bought the Rainier Petroleum lease for $54,850."
Members of Fishermen's Terminal Advisory Committee, which represents tenants at the terminal, did not object to the closure, Shultz said.
He added no one had approached the Port for possible future fuel sales.
Cruise Season Begins
Norwegian Sky was the first cruise ship of the season to dock at Pier 66 before heading for Southeast Alaska on April 28, the first of its 21 round-trip sailings to the 49th state.
"There will be 79 Alaska voyages from Seattle this season, up from 56 in 2001," said Mick Shultz, media relations officer for the Port of Seattle. "The vessels will carry about 250,000 passengers, and there will be nearly 950 local jobs, including provisioners, florists, piano tuners, ship personnel and others," he said.
"This year cruise ships will generate nearly $42.5 million in business revenue and $2.7 million in state and local taxes for this region," said Bob Edwards, Port of Seattle Commission Chair.
"Seattle's prospects as a growing homeport are very strong as we continue to gain stature as a player in the cruise business. I think the cruise lines agree, as they are putting their fastest, most technologically advanced vessels on Seattle-based cruises," said Port Chief Executive Officer M.R. Dinsmore.
Norwegian Sky, has had Seattle as its home port since 2000, and its sister ship Norwegian Sun, will be homeported here in 2003. Both are owned by Norwegian Cruise Lines of Miami, FL.
Other vessels offering Alaskan and Pacific Northwest cruises out of Seattle are Radiance of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International Line, and MS Amsterdam and Zaandam, Holland America Line.
Pier 91 Vacated by Cars
The last "auto ship" sailed from Seattle's Pier 91 in October 2001, and now Nissan cars are being shipped to California instead. Distribution Auto Services is paying the Port of Seattle $1.25 million, the amount they would have paid the Port over the next year had they stayed in Seattle.
"Now the Port can rent or lease the space out and decide whether or not they need another cruise ship terminal," said Mick Shultz, media relations officer for the Port of Seattle.
He said a cruise industry consulting firm from Miami, Bermello Ajamil & Associates, would have a report in June on whether or not they would recommend adding the terminal.
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