Zeeland is a newcomer to the cruise scene with one call booked for 2010 from Holland America Line’s Prinsendam, but is no stranger to river cruiseships of which it expects 50 this year.
The port is eager to develop the sea and river cruises to about 30 cruise and 250 river cruise calls a year by 2020, explains Alex Nelis of Zeeland Cruise Port.
The city of Vlissingen is investing in extending the quay at the outer harbour by 200m giving it a total length of 300m and having a draught of 11m. The railway station is just 40m from the berth with Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges all being shore excursion possibilities.
Mondriaan Cruise Development will build a five-phase development at the quay to include a cruise terminal, maritime college, sports facilities and restaurants. The terminal will be able to handle 3,000 passengers when it is completed in 2014. The first phase of construction is due to begin early next year. The total budget for this project is E70mn, explains Nelis.
The Dutch port has three quays with the maximum size of cruiseship able to come alongside being 350m in length and 10.5m draught. There are five anchorage positions including one in front of the city of Vlissingen. Vessels can be turned on the river Scheldt which has a width of more than 6.6km.
