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The Philadelphia Cruise Industry and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

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Background

The Philadelphia Port Authority (PPA) announced its plans to build a new terminal for cruise ships in Philadelphia in July 2024. Construction began for the terminal in December 2025. PPA’s FAQ states that in a private-public partnership, “PhilaPort Cruise Terminal will be an exclusive homeport for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.”

Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) quickly started selling tickets for a passage in April 2026 from the terminal, shown as being located on Hog Island, 4 Atlantic Ave., Philadelphia, 19153 – in Tinicum Township, Delaware County (NOT in Philadelphia!). According to the PPA website, “The ceremonial inaugural sailing will be April 16th, 2026, with the Norwegian Jewel.” PPA also states that sailing will take place “April 16 through Oct. 17, 2026, featuring 24 calls to the city.”

From the NCL’s website: “Philadelphia International Airport is just minutes from the port, so you can go from runway to a getaway in no time. NCL offers 40+ voyages from Philadelphia to destinations like Bermuda, The Bahamas, the Caribbean, New England, and Canada…”

However, news reports have disclosed that the terminal is still under construction and won’t be ready for the April sailing. One cruise website revealed, “Messages shared in cruise community discussions indicate that sailings originally promoted as departing from PhilaPort’ s new riverfront terminal are instead being repositioned to a berth within the Philadelphia Navy Yard area for at least part of the inaugural season.”

24 cruises launched from a temporary makeshift site is a lot of activity – where are the reports and studies proving the Navy Yard temporary facilities and related operations will not have negative environmental and public safety and health impacts? What about communities in the region – how have they been informed and consulted?

The PPA website says that midsize ships carrying about 3,000 passengers will use the terminal. Cruising websites are promoting the industry’s reentry into the Delaware River Ports. The Norwegian Jewel carries 2,368 (double occupancy) passengers plus 1069 crew and has a draft of 28.3 feet. It is said that cruise shipping died out in 2009-2010 in Philadelphia “…due to factors like ship size constraints and logistical hurdles navigating the Delaware River.” It makes one wonder why the industry now thinks it will succeed.

Energy Transfer Marketing and Terminals is also listed as a partner in the public-private partnership with PPA and NCL. Why?

Questions

What are the public safety threats for Philadelphia and Southeastern PA from LNG fueling and cruise ship operations?

What are the potential environmental impacts for the Delaware River and its communities?

Where will they produce, transport and store LNG – a hazardous, flammable, and explosive material?

Will there be polluting air emissions?

How long will temporary terminal(s) be used and how many voyages are planned for the temporary location?

What are the permanent terminal location plans regarding LNG fuel and cruise ship operations?

Is there more than one temporary location for the cruise ship terminal?

Why haven’t communities been informed and consulted?

Please join our webinar on Thursday, April 30, at 7pm to learn more! Register here now.

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