Economic Development

We absolutely support jobs and local businesses. The cruise ship industry should provide jobs and support businesses in a way that does not lead to displacement or damage the health and well being of those who work for or near the Port of Seattle. 

Tourism bolsters Washington State’s economy; there's no question. Seattle-area hotels and transportation providers will benefit, as will companies throughout the state that provision cruise ships.

Small Businesses in Pioneer Square

Home port small businesses typically do not see a significant benefit from cruise ship visitors. Seattle is a home port. Small businesses may, in fact, face many challenges including displacement. [1]  Home ports are very different from ports of call. It is the ports of call (for example, stops in Alaska) that will see an economic boon from cruise ship passenger spending. 

For more information, read:

• The World Monument Fund report, Harboring Tourism, page 112.

• KUOW's story on cruise ship impact on the Pike Place Market.

• CNN story on cruise ships' lack of economic benefit to Venice.

Seattle must proceed cautiously to protect independent businesses in downtown, the historic, and the industrial districts.

Doing a Job Should Not Jeopardize Workers' Health

We invite the unions should join our fight, demanding that cruise ships use cleaner-burning fuels. Container ships have already converted to cleaner fuels; cruise ships have not.

We want unions to advocate alongside our campaign to set and adhere to strict, industry-leading underwater noise pollution standards; and accelerate efforts to reduce single-use plastics and other landfill waste. Demanding these actions will ensure we keep our air free of cancer-causing toxins and our waterways free of sonic pollution and plastics that harm marine habitat and hurt our local fishing economy. 

Bottom line: no one wants cancer simply by doing their job or to hurt their neighbor’s livelihood.

Statewide Impact

We strongly support our local farmers and producers. We advocate for bringing more of their products to local residents and visitors alike, creating sustainable sources of revenue that are less reliant on transportation and packaging, minimizing carbon footprint.

With climate change threatening the farming industry as a whole, fighting Seattle’s newest cruise program is a farmer’s and producer's fight as well. Let us be clear: cruise ships are the largest carbon emitters out of any type of transportation vehicle. In fact, 15 of the world's largest ships creates more pollution than all the world's cars.

Toxic air from cruise ships travel 200 miles—that's all of Washington from the Puget Sound to Spokane. This is not a not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) campaign. The current cruise ship plan affects all of Washington State.

Supporting the existing cruise ship plan will create a negative feedback loop that leads to more environmental damage and contribute to global warming. It puts more carcinogens in the air, and it is linked to childhood asthma.

Hidden Costs, Not Promised Profits

Research shows that pollution, overall, is bad for the economy [2]. 

There are a whole host of costs that are not presently factored into the Port’s projections for economic benefits. For example, healthcare costs of those hurt by air toxins, negative impacts on the value of surrounding properties, and how increased traffic could disrupt productivity. 

It does not make sense to make one dollar today if it means that you need to spend three dollars tomorrow on mitigating the damage done by earning that one dollar.

Residents support small businesses year-round, and vice-versa. If overtourism from cruise ships impact livability in downtown, businesses will also suffer. Hurt one and you hurt the other. 

Don’t jeopardize Seattle’s long-term future for short-terms gains.