CE statistics prove that hard work pays off

Thursday, February 15, 2024 - 10:25 by ce-press

The 2023 numbers are in from CE member ports and it’s business as usual, if not better, following the pandemic pause. Total calls numbered 9,111 while passengers numbers reached 18,935,154.

When it comes to call numbers, top of the leader board is Southampton (497), followed by Lisbon, Bergen, Alesund, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Akureyri, Reykjavik, Orkney and Stavanger (203).

For passenger numbers, Southampton (2.7 million) also takes the number one spot but then it changes somewhat with next up Hamburg, Lisbon, Copenhagen, Alesund, Bergen, Stavanger, OldenLoen, Zeebrugge and Geiranger (471,623).

Jens Skrede, managing director CE, says: “These numbers are a testament to the hard work our member ports have put in to get back to business as usual following Covid-19.

“They are also a reflection of what is going on in Northern Europe, whereby some ports to the west of the Baltic are gaining, while those to the east are having a harder time of it due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and hence St Petersburg being excluded from Baltic itineraries.”

CE statistics prove that hard work pays off

P&O Cruises' Iona in Southampton, the port at the top of the leader board (c) ABP Port of Southampton

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Southampton

Southampton

The Port of Southampton is Europe's leading cruise turn-around port. Each year we welcome more than 500 cruise ship calls and two million passengers. All four of Southampton's dedicated, world-class cruise terminals have undergone multi-million pound refurbishments that enable the port to cater for the world's largest vessels. Southampton provides both state-of-the-art dedicated terminals and bespoke shore-side arrangements, alongside port partners, to the cruise industry. Our facilities cater for the world's largest ships with world-class efficiency and provide a bespoke service to the more discerning of passengers.

Alesund

Alesund

Ålesund has a beautiful setting across several islands stretching out into the sea, and is situated at the very entrance of the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Geirangerfjord. Above all Ålesund is internationally renowned for its unique architecture in the Art Nouveau style. The town was devastated by fire on a winter’s night in 1904, laying 850 houses in ashes and leaving 10,000 people homeless. The new Ålesund ‘rose from the ashes’ in the continental turn-of-the-century style with a myriad of turrets, spires and medieval ornaments. Aksla, the town mountain, offers breathtaking views across the Art Nouveau town, islands and fjords. The Art Nouveau Centre portrays the unique position Ålesund has in Norwegian architectural history and the Atlantic Sea-Park, one of the largest aquariums in Northern Europe, is located in Ålesund.

Bergen

Bergen

The city of Bergen was founded on an old Viking settlement in the year 1070, and has a proud history and many interesting cultural monuments. Today Bergen has more than 260,000 inhabitants. The city is famous for its exciting mixture of old and new architecture, its charm and atmosphere. Bergen is surrounded by one of the world's most spectacular tourist attractions - the Norwegian Fjords, which is included on UNESCO's World Heritage List. Bryggen in Bergen is also listed on UNESCO's World Heritage List, and the city is a designated World Heritage City. Bergen is a popular cruise destination and the leading cruise port in Norway with around 330 cruise ship calls bringing more than 450,000 cruise passengers per year.

Copenhagen

Copenhagen

The Royal City of Copenhagen, founded 1167 is the heart of the oldest kingdom in the world and Denmark’s capital since 1417. This European metropolis is the largest city in Scandinavia. It has an efficient public transport system and 9 cruise piers just a few minutes from city centre. Copenhagen has: history, culture and beauty, excellent shore excursions, professional guides for shore excursions, international and first class hotels, restaurants in historic settings, ‘Ströget’, the world’s oldest and longest pedestrian street; shopping with 15-20% tax-savings, Copenhagen Card with free entrance to museums and free, unlimited travel by bus and rail. Copenhagen international airport less than five miles from city centre. The Port offers five cruise passenger terminals and for transit the well known Langelinie and down Town Ndr. Toldbod. Oceanpier with 1.100m quay keep Copenhagen the leading cruise port in Northern Europe. New Visby terminal operated since April 2018.

Hamburg

Hamburg

Hamburg is one of Europe´s leading cruise capitals – with 785.000 passengers & 278 calls in 2022, as well as numerous cruise-themed events all year round. With its Hamburg Cruise Days or Port Anniversary, Hamburg is the most eventful city port in the world & welcomes cruise ships like no other. Hamburg´s attractiveness for cruise lines is intimately related to the state of the art infrastructure of its three urban cruise terminals. Currently, a new cruise terminal is being built at HafenCity - integrated into a shopping, hotel & entertainment complex, and set to open in 2024. With direct access to the city center, passengers & cruise lines alike will highly benefit from the unique possibilites of the new terminal concept. Hamburg continues to play a pioneering role in sustainability: From 2025, all Hamburg Cruise Terminals will be equipped with shore power which will make Hamburg the first port in Europe to offer alternative energy supply for ships at berth at all its cruise terminals.

Lisbon

Lisbon

The port of Lisbon is a magnificent port of call for all cruise ships and offers excellent conditions for cruises around the Western Mediterranean and the North of Europe, transatlantic voyagers from East Coast of the USA and Brazil to Europe; and to the Atlantic islands and North Africa. Lisbon features two cruise terminals located in the historic city center and 8 km from the airport which together with the mild climate, the airlift connecting to several European and American destinations, the great diversity and quality of accommodation, make Lisbon a destination of excellence for cruise tourism. As far as cruise infrastructures is concerned, the port of Lisbon has a new cruise pier that, together with the existing one, offers to cruise companies approximately 1 500 meters of berthing quay. Simultaneous, the port has increased the existing terminal facilities, with 1 293 m2, building two new infrastructures with 500 m2 each.

Geirangerfjord

Geirangerfjord

The untamed Norwegian landscape and dramatic scenery of the Geirangerfjord has been a magnet for tourists for generations. Every year thousands of visitor's flocks to our beautiful fjord landscape, inscribed on UNESCO List of World Heritage Natural Sites. As Norway's second largest cruise port, we need to change in line with our customer's needs. To develop the Geirangerfjord as a 21st century tourist destination, a SeaWalk (a floating pier system) was opened in July 2013. This enables cruise passengers to walk directly ashore into Geiranger town center. The SeaWalk develops Geiranger as one of the world's most unique tourist destinations, reduces the environmental impact, and creates a better customer experience. With SeaWalk in Geiranger and Hellesylt Quay, which was opened May 17th, 2012, the two charming villages at each end of Geirangerfjord are well prepared to welcome cruise ships in the years to come.

Zeebrugge

Zeebrugge

The Belgian coastal port of Zeebrugge, literally Bruges-on-Sea, provides the easiest access to the many historical cities and places in Belgium. The are two main factors why Zeebrugge is a destination port for cruise vessels. For the shipping company the port’s location right on the coast shortens approach time to a minimum as the vessel does not have to deviate from its itinerary on the North Sea. For the passenger, a call in Zeebrugge provides the quickest access to the many historical cities in Belgium: Bruges foremost but also Ghent, Belgium’s capital Brussels and the WW1 battlefields of Ypres. The brand new terminal building offers interporting and full turnaround opportunities for small to medium size vessels.

OldenLoen

OldenLoen

Olden & Loen is two small villages located at the inner end of the fjord - Nordfjord. The head of the Fjord is characterized by varied and dramatic scenery. Peaceful valleys and tidy farms lie in contrast to gleaming glaciers, foaming waterfalls, and towering mountains. Olden is the gateway to the Jostedal Glacier, the largest glacier on the European mainland. A tour to Briksdal, its most well-known glacier arm, is higly recommended. The village of Olden and Loen are vigorous and active, with blooming trade and businesses. They have long been known for tourism and industry, but are now also famous for contemporary design. OldenLoen is the main cruise destination in the Nordfjord region, but cruise vessels are most welcome in all the Nordfjord ports: Måløy, Selje, and Sandane; each hosting a range of interesting attractions and excursion possibilities. More than 30 different excursions to offer. Welcome to Port of OldenLoen - Nordfjord - "Gateway to the Glaciers"

Akureyri

Akureyri

Akureyri sits on the shores of Iceland’s longest fjord, Eyjafjordur. It is the country´s second-largest town and the self-proclaimed capital of the North. With a population of just 19,600, there are many things that set Akureyri apart. The nearby Lake Mývatn for example is set in a bewitchingly beautiful area, featuring rock columns, geothermal vents and the popular Mývatn Nature Baths. Located approximately one hour away from the port, Lake Mývatn consistently proves itself to be the most popular shore excursion for cruise passengers visiting Akureyri. Another popular tour is the short flight to Grimsey Island - the only part of Iceland to cross the Arctic Circle. The small island has excellent tourist facilities, an interesting variety of landscapes and is home to a huge bird population during the summer months.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik

Orkney

Orkney

At 59 degrees north, and embracing British, Scottish, Orcadian and Viking Heritage and Culture, The Orkney Islands are a must see destination on any Around Britain, Scandinavian or Northern European cruise. The diversity of itineraries encompassing 5000 years of history, relics of two World Wars, Britain's most northerly Cathedral, Castles, Distilleries and a globally renowned Word Heritage Site all contribute to a wealth of choice in deciding how to spend your time in Orkney. Our deep water, commercial berth can accommodate some of the world’s largest cruise liners, and there is additional capacity for other berthing and anchorage locations in Kirkwall and Stromness and on some of our Isles. On arriving in Orkney you’ll enter a different world, one in which you’ll discover stunning scenery, unrivalled archaeology, abundant wildlife, rich culture and fabulous food and drink. We’re proud of our distinctive heritage and eager to share it with you.

Stavanger

Stavanger

So close to the European continent and Great Britain! Conveniently located in the south-western corner of Norway, Stavanger is indeed the shortcut to the Norwegian fjords. Nothing is far away, and cruise ships dock in the city centre. Just a short walk away are the lovely cathedral and the charming city centre with its cobbled pedestrian streets. The landscape in the region varies between fjords, beaches and steep mountains. The Lysefjord and the Preikestolen/Pulpit Rock are just an hour’s boat trip away from the city.