Alaska Official Considers Direct Cruise Ship Routes, Bypassing B.C. Ports Amid Trade War Concerns

Alaskan officials are pushing for the removal of the Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA) of 1886, a law that requires passenger ships travelling between U.S. ports to stop at a foreign port like Victoria on Vancouver Island. U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan is urging Congress to change legislation or request President Donald Trump to abolish the PVSA. This proposal is in response to British Columbia imposing road tolls on U.S. commercial vehicles as retaliation against Trump’s tariffs.
The repeal of PVSA could impact Victoria’s cruise ship port business, heavily reliant on stopovers for itineraries between Seattle and Alaska. Vancouver, with its designation as a homeport, would be less affected. Changes to PVSA would not require a shift in cruise itineraries, as cruise lines have highlighted the value of using Vancouver and Victoria based on passenger feedback.
In recent years, Alaskan officials have proposed repealing PVSA due to concerns about the economic impact on tourism-dependent coastal communities. The 2021 season saw minimal cruise traffic in Alaskan communities due to pandemic-related challenges. Victoria and Vancouver have both experienced growth in cruise ship passengers in recent years, providing significant economic benefits to their regions.
Overall visitation across the Canada-U.S. border could decline, as there are growing calls for Canadians to boycott American destinations and potential reduced capacity from American travellers. Vancouver sees significant economic benefits from being a homeport, with cruise lines and passengers spending billions annually in Metro Vancouver. The cruise ship industry plays a crucial role in supporting local businesses and driving tourism in both Victoria and Vancouver.

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