Seattle port signs 10-year Carnival deal

Seattle port signs 10-year Carnival deal The Port of Seattle's governing board has approved a 10-year agreement with Carnival Corp. giving the cruise line firm preferential use of two new berths to open at Pier 91 next year and clearing the way for additional container terminal space at the port.
   Carnival, the parent firm of cruise lines Holland American and Princess Cruises, agreed to base five vessels at the port through 2018 and maintain a passenger level of 420,000 per year through the port.
   In return, Carnival will receive nearly $1.1 million in rebates and waived fees from the port through 2011. The cruise firm can also reap additional discounts if it brings additional ships to the port.
   The cruise firm has been operating its lines out of a port-built $18 million 'temporary' facility at Terminal 30 since 2003.
   The port has been seeking a new location for the cruise line in order to reclaim the acreage at Terminal 30 for its former use as a container terminal. SSA Terminals has a deal with China Shipping to operate the refurbished Terminal 30 when it opens in the spring.