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Bunker suppliers at the port of Seattle are preparing themselves for a surge in bunker sales as the 2010 cruise season officially got underway yesterday, April 26, with the arrival of Holland America Line's MS Amsterdam at the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal.

A record 223 vessels are expected this season, bringing an estimated 858,000 passengers to Seattle.

As per an agreement between the port and cruise lines, all cruise ships that homeport in Seattle will use either low-sulpur fuel or shore power while docked.

Smith Cove Cruise Terminal can provide shore power for two ships at once, eliminating the need to run engines while at berth.

This year, Carnival Cruise Lines will also be sailing from Seattle, offering Tuesday cruises, while both Holland America and Princess Cruise lines will offer 14-day cruises to Alaska. Holland America will also be adding a fourth ship to its Seattle fleet.

Homeport Cruise Lines - 2010

· Carnival Cruise Lines offers 7-day Alaska cruises on the Carnival Spirit, departing on Tuesdays from Pier 91.

· Celebrity Cruises offers 7-day Alaska cruises on the Infinity; departing from Pier 66.

· Holland America Line offers 7-day cruises from Seattle to Alaska on the Zaandam, Oosterdam and the Rotterdam. Sailings depart Friday, Saturdays and Sundays from Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91. The Amsterdam will offer 14-day Alaska sailings every other Monday from Pier 91.

· Norwegian Cruise Line offers 7-day cruises from Seattle to Alaska on the NCL Star and the NCL Pearl. Sailings depart Saturdays and Sundays from Pier 66.

· Princess Cruises offers 7-day cruises from Seattle to Alaska on the Golden Princess and Sapphire Princess. Sailings depart Saturdays and Sundays from Pier 91. The Royal Princess will offer 14-day Alaska sailings every other Monday from Pier 91.

· Royal Caribbean offers 7-day cruises to Alaska on the Rhapsody of the Seas departing from Pier 91 every Friday.

Last year, the Port of Seattle announced that the cruise season brought in a record 218 vessel calls and welcomed 875,433 passengers.

According to the port, Seattle's market share of the Alaska cruise business has grown dramatically, from six vessel calls to 218 in just 10 years.

The growth in cruise vessel calls in recent years has also, as a consequence, led to a rise in demand for marine fuel from the cruise industry with the majority of bunker purchases coming in the form of 'term contracts'.

The size of the bunker market in Seattle is currently estimated to be between 1.5 - 2.0 million tonnes per year.