NEW STUDY SAYS PORT OF LOS ANGELES CRUISE BUSINESS WILL SEE STEADY GROWTH DESPITE AILING ECONOMY

Weekend Passenger Volumes Will Continue to Increase Over the Long Term

SAN PEDRO, Calif. — July 1, 2009 — A 2009 study assessing the cruise market demand at the Port of Los Angeles conducted by the Menlo Consulting Group predicts cruise activity at the Port will remain constant for the next two to three years, but will experience long-term growth in line with previous estimates.  The report cited increased passenger volumes and larger cruise vessels as the primary factors underlying the optimistic long-term growth forecast.

The 2009 Menlo Study follows one done by Bermillo, Ajamil & Partners, Inc. in 2006, which suggested additional berths would be needed at the Port of Los Angeles to accommodate growing cruise passenger volumes.  Despite the reassignment of the Monarch of the Seas vessel by Royal Caribbean, the Port of Los Angeles is expected to need additional berth space and infrastructure in the coming years to accommodate growing shifts toward weekend-dominated cruise schedules. 

"Cruise operations at the Port provide more than 2,500 jobs and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in tourism and other business revenue," said Port Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D.  "Despite the faltering economy right now, the long-term outlook for Los Angeles is strong as evidenced by the top-tier ships that are serving this market now and in the years ahead.”

The Port of Los Angeles, also known as “America’s Port,” has a strong commitment to developing innovative strategic and sustainable operations that benefit the economy and the quality of life for the region and the nation it serves. A recipient of numerous environmental awards, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2007 Clean Air Excellence Award, the Port of Los Angeles is committed to innovating cleaner, greener ways of doing business. As the leading seaport in North America in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port generates 919,000 regional jobs and $39.1 billion in annual wages and tax revenues. A proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles, the Port is self-supporting and does not receive taxpayer dollars. The Port of Los Angeles - A cleaner port. A brighter future.