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Bunker sales from cruise ships at the port of Seattle look set to decline in 2014 as a result of the projected fall in cruise ship calls for this year's cruise season.

The 2014 cruise season got under way on May 3 at Smith Cove Cruise Terminal with the arrival of the Holland America Line MS Westerdam and Princess Cruises' Golden Princess. This season has 178 cruise ship calls scheduled, which represents the second consecutive annual decrease since Seattle recorded 201 cruise ship calls in 2012.

Please find below a summary of annual cruise ship calls at Seattle since 2009.

2014 - 178
2013 - 188
2012 - 201
2011 - 196
2010 - 223
2009 - 218

Seattle has seen a rapid increase in cruise ship business since the start of the century. The port's market share of the Alaska cruise market grew dramatically, from six vessel calls to 218 in just 10 years, between 2000 and 2009. However, in recent years, cruise ship calls - and bunker volumes from cruise ships - have fallen.

All cruise ships that homeport in Seattle use either low-sulphur fuel or plug into shore side electrical power while docked. Smith Cove Cruise Terminal can provide shore power for two ships at once, eliminating the need to run engines while at berth. A Memorandum of Understanding between The Port of Seattle, the Washington Department of Ecology and the Northwest and Canada Cruiseship Association sets strong standards exceeding federal requirements for the treatment of waste discharges from cruise ships operating in Washington waters.

The 2015 cruise season will offer several new products, with the addition of Holland America Line’s MS Statendam for 14-day itineraries, the addition of the Jewel of the Seas replacing Rhapsody of the Seas, and the addition of the Ruby Princess and Crown Princess replacing the Grand Princess and Golden Princess. Each of the three new ships to homeport in Seattle in 2015 provide room for 500 additional passengers.

Cruise lines calling at Seattle in 2014

- Carnival Cruise Lines offers 7-day Alaska cruises on the Carnival Miracle departing Tuesdays from Pier 91.

- Celebrity Cruises offers 7-day Alaska cruises on the Celebrity Solstice departing Fridays from Pier 91.

- Holland America Line offers 7-day cruises from Seattle to Alaska on the MS Amsterdam and the MS Westerdam, with MS Amsterdam also sailing four 14-day Alaska cruises. Sailings depart Saturdays and Sundays from Pier 91.

- Norwegian Cruise Line offers 7-day cruises from Seattle to Alaska on the Norwegian Jewel and the Norwegian Pearl. Sailings depart Saturdays and Sundays from Pier 66.

- Oceania Cruises offers a variety of itineraries on the Oceania Regatta departing from Pier 66.

- Princess Cruises offers 7-day cruises from Seattle to Alaska on the Golden Princess and Grand Princess. Sailings depart Saturdays and Sundays from Pier 91. - Royal Caribbean offers 7-day cruises to Alaska on the Rhapsody of the Seas departing from Pier 91 every Friday.