The 952-foot cruise ship Star Princess arrived at the newly expanded Pier 70 drydock on September 26th, beginning the Port of San Francisco’s new chapter in its rich maritime history.
Published: October, 2008
The Port, Princess Cruises, and the shipyard operator – BAE Systems San Francisco – last year agreed to undertake a major enhancement of the Port’s drydock, making it the only commercial facility on the U.S. West Coast able to accommodate post-Panamax ships, that is, ships too large to transit the Panama Canal.
The $5 million enhancement project was completed this summer, and the 13-day drydocking of the Star Princess at Pier 70 is the first of expected regular visits by mega-liners, creating hundreds of jobs for the region’s ten maritime trade unions.
The agreement between the Port, Princess Cruises and BAE Systems to invest and upgrade the Port’s drydock at Pier 70, has made San Francisco capable of handling the newest and largest ships operating in the Pacific, said Mayor Gavin Newsom. Today, we reap the benefits of that investment. Having this beautiful ship grace our waterfront reminds us of San Francisco’s maritime roots, and enhances our position as a destination city.
According to the Port’s recently completed Economic Impact Study, the cruise industry generates $31 million in total economic impact annually to the City of San Francisco and nearly $50 million to the Bay Area.
The first visit of a cruise ship this size to the Port’s drydock is the culmination of the cooperative effort of Princess Cruises, BAE Systems, Mayor Gavin Newsom and the Port of San Francisco, stated Monique Moyer, Port Executive Director. It means jobs and a real boost to the City’s economy, now and through the foreseeable future.
The Star Princess will undergo programmed mechanical, navigational and interior upgrades during its two-week stay. The 109,000-ton ship is 118 feet wide, with 1,200 crewmembers, and carries up to 3,100 passengers.
