Earlier this month, the Alaska Railroad approved plans for the building of a new $137 mill cruise ship port in Seward, Alaska.
It is scheduled to open in time for the 2026 cruise season.
The new dock will be able to handle larger ships than the 60-year-old dock being replaced.
Alaska Railroad will now sign agreements with the project developer, The Seward Company, and other partners in the project, said Meghan Clemens, a spokeswoman with the railroad, addressing local media.
Including the debt, the purchase deal will be supported by a 30-year commitment with Seward’s main client Royal Caribbean Group, according to the railroad.
Royal Caribbean will have preferential berthing rights, but other cruise companies will also be able to use the port.
“It’s a much-needed and highly anticipated project for our community,” said Kat Sorensen, Seward’s City Manager.
“The cruise ship terminal in its current state is near the end of its useful life. To continue to see the economic impacts that tourism has in our community and our state, this terminal is definitely needed.”
The City of Seward owns the local power company and has applied for a grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to pay for a shoreside electricity power connection.
Anchorage-based Turnagain, a marine construction company, will build the port and the railroad will purchase it upon its completion.
“This new facility supports our commitment to deliver incredible experiences to our guests, while also developing a state-of-the-art facility and community hub,” Preston Carnahan of Royal Caribbean said in a statement.
The new facility will include a 68,000 sq ft terminal building. A 150 ft transfer span will connect cruise travellers to an Alaska Railroad train and other ground transportation.
The 750 ft, two-berth floating dock will be the largest floating pier in the state, Jason Davis, president of Turnagain, said.
Construction on the terminal is scheduled to begin this autumn after Seward’s cruise season ends and the building of the pier will take place next autumn to avoid disrupting next summer’s cruise season.
