Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises and all Carnival Corp. brands have agreed to new usage agreements with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) to prioritize emission reductions, educational partnerships and investment in businesses in the city.
The large lines, which sail from the Manhattan and Brooklyn cruise terminals, have made a half-dozen new agreements with the NYCEDC to invest in the community by contributing to a local fund, reducing emissions and participating in local events.
The NYCEDC, a nonprofit focused on creating a globally competitive economy in the city, expects a record high of more than 1.3 million passengers to sail through the Manhattan and Brooklyn cruise terminals this year.
The NYCEDC projects the cruise industry has an economic impact of $420 million per year in the city, with cruise-related spending from passengers and crew supporting about 2,667 jobs. About 2,000 of these jobs are from tourism-adjacent industries including hotels, food and beverage, shopping, transit and entertainment, according to the NYCEDC.
The agreement includes cruise lines contributing $1 per passenger to a new fund to address community priorities in the neighborhoods directly surrounding the cruise terminals, namely Red Hook, Brooklyn, and midtown Manhattan. Another agreement includes NYCEDC partnering with cruise lines on ground transportation planning. The cruise lines have also agreed to reduce emissions and work toward a goal to ensure all ships calling in New York are equipped with shore power connections by 2028.
Another agreement includes the development of a local plan to prioritize outreach to Minority Women Owned Business Enterprises, or MWBEs. The final agreement requires cruise lines to develop relationships with educational institutions in New York and participate in at least one career fair and one networking event per year.
The new usage agreements replace current agreements with each respective cruise line. Each usage agreement ranges in duration from three to 15 years with the option for five-year renewals. The individual cruise lines are required under the agreement to submit annual reports to the NYCEDC showing their progress.