Oslo is expecting 19 overnight calls next year which is a record for the Norwegian port. In total 154 calls are already booked of which nine are turnrounds. Passengers numbers are forecast at about 270,000 which is up from 260,000 this year on 149 calls (eight turnrounds).
The Port of Oslo, the City Development Department and Visit Oslo are looking at future pier development in Oslo including the possibility for at least one terminal for turnround acitivites, according to Margrethe Austad, marketing manager cruise at the port. A report will be submitted to the Municipality of Oslo who commissioned the work by May 1 2010.
At present the pier beneath the castle, Akershuskaia, can take the largest ships although there are some land limitations vis a terminal. In 2008 Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas turned round at Filipstad with the help of a tent. Revierhavna is close to the splendid new Opera House and is one of a number of other piers.
On a visit to Oslo in August, Timothy Littley, manager deployment & itinerary planning Holland America Line, said his preference would be for Akershuskaia (pictured) to be developed.
