181 NORTH AMERICA: INTERVIEW Sailing strong in 2026 Christopher Chase from the Port of LA discusses with Laura Hyde how the increase in cruise activity is driving plans to upgrade facilities Cruise activity at the Port of Los Angeles in California, USA, has increased significantly in recent years. The port welcomed a record 1.6 million cruise passengers in 2025 and expects to receive nearly 1.7 million in 2026 thanks to increased calls from Princess Cruises’ newest and largest ship, Star Princess, as well as a new partner, Virgin Voyages. “With more than 250 annual calls, and each one bringing $1.2 million to our local economy, the cruise industry brings over $300 million into our surrounding communities annually,” says Christopher Chase, director of marketing at the Port of LA. The port expects projects such as the ongoing reactivation of its LA Waterfront and the long-anticipated opening of the mile-long West Harbor waterfront development in summer 2026 to drive further growth in the future. It has also unveiled plans for a new cruise terminal at the Outer Harbor, which is expected to be completed by 2030. “We have selected Pacific Cruise Terminals – a joint venture between Carrix and JLC Infrastructure – to develop a world-class cruise facility to meet the future needs of our expanding cruise business,” says Chase. “Shore power will be at the centre of the new facility as all cruise ships are required by California’s 2020 At Berth Regulation to switch off and plug in. Other details and technologies to build the most advanced sustainable cruise terminal are included in the plans with the developer and will be identified over the next few years as part of the environmental permitting process. We are also renovating our existing World Cruise Center to handle more passengers and accommodate non-cruise activities, such as filming and hosting events, during ship-free days.” A rendering of the proposed Carrix cruise terminal at the Port of LA
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