From mid March 2010, Klaipeda is offering a 20% discount on all port dues on second and third calls during the calendar year and a 50% discount for the fourth and further calls.
This is the third year that the Lithuanian port has introduced an amendment to reduce port dues and to grant discounts to cruise vessels. In 2008 discounts were given for multiple calls: 20% from the fourth to eighth call and 50% for the ninth and further calls.
Last year port dues for cruise vessels larger than 50,000gt were calculated at the maximum rate of 50,000gt. Furthermore a 20% discount was given on the third to eighth call.
Kristina Gontier, head of marketing at the port, says that statistical date for 2010 shows that the discounts for frequent calls have already contributed to the increase in cruise shipping at the port: 50 calls and nearly 36,000 passengers this year which includes 21 vesssels each over 200m in length.
