NCL’s Veitch Named Maritime Person of the Year

In recognition for his efforts to build a vibrant and successful U.S.flag cruise fleet, Colin Veitch, president and CEO of NCL Corporation (NCL) was honored on Friday by the International Propeller Club of the United States as the 2006 Maritime Person of the Year at the organization’s 80th Annual International Convention in Norfolk, Virginia. The award is presented annually to a person who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in furthering and promoting the maritime industry.

Under Veitch’s leadership, the company’s NCL America brand has revitalized the U.S.flagged large passenger cruise ship industry, operating the only three large U.S.flagged cruise ships in the world. NCL and NCL America’s operations provide substantial economic benefits to the United States generating hundreds of millions of dollars and creating thousands of American jobs. The individuals employed by NCL America help sustain a pool of qualified seafarers who can be called upon to assist the U.S. military in times of need or national emergency.

In July 2004, NCL America christened Pride of Aloha, the first new U.S.flagged cruise ship in nearly 50 years. In June 2005, Pride of America followed and at the time, became the largest U. S.flagged passenger ship ever built. NCL America again made U.S. maritime history in May 2006 by christening Pride of Hawai`i, the largest, most luxurious and most expensive U.S.flagged cruise ship in history. The three ships are estimated to create directly and indirectly 20,000 jobs and generate more than $800 million in economic activity in the United States.