Hafnarfjordur in Iceland is expecting 13 calls this year of which five will be turnarounds. This is a massive increase on 2003 to 2008 when the port received just two turnaround calls each year and 2009 when it received two turnaround calls as well as two transit calls.
This year the port will receive its largest ever visitor, 93,000gt MSC Poesia with a length of 300m and draught of 7.6m. “We are able to receive a little larger ships but not much more,” says Mar Sveinbjornsson, director at the port. Also expected is Compagnie du Ponant’s newbuilding Le Boreal.
Passengers are able to embark and disembark directly onto the buses which makes the process “as fast as possible” explains Mr Sveinbjornsson. The quay is in the heart of the town. Last year a special welcome ceremony for the ships was put on for the first time which will be repeated this year.
