Windstar Cruises’ Wind Spirit became the fist cruise ship to stay overnight at IJmuiden’s Felison Terminal on July 12. Passengers and crew visited both Amsterdam and Haarlem.
The port, together with the Felison Terminal, has decided to have two more quays ISPS-certified for the increasing demand in passenger traffic, Trawlerkade and Monnickendamkade.
“It has become clear that we will have to offer additional capacity to the cruise sector,” says Peter van de Meerakker, managing director Zeehaven IJmuiden. “This is to ensure that our customers always have a safe and accessible berth.”
Cruiseships have called Trawlerkade previousy but in each case a single ISPS permit was granted, due to the primary cruise berths being already occupied.
The Dutch port has received its 45th confirmed call for 2012. MSC Cruises is increasing its turnaround calls to 23. Maiden calls next year will include Voyages of Discovery’s Discovery and Saga’s Saga Sapphire.
With the dredging earlier in the year of the IJmond harbour’s entrance allowing for calls from vessels up to 295m in length, there has been an increase in the number of vessels visiting.
Hence a new terminal will be constructed between the two quays in the IJmond harbour. Local architect Marc van de Velde is designing the terminal which will be next to the KVSA’s existing facilities. It will be ready in April 2012.
