News Archive

20/05/2025

Cruise Europe conference packs a punch

The agenda for this year’s Cruise Europe (CE) conference has gathered momentum to include different moderators for each session, new to CE cruiseline executives and speakers, as well as a workshop format in the afternoon. The latter actively demonstrated a theme of integration and collaboration which ran through the few days we were in Copenhagen, aptly hosted by both port and city: Copenhagen Malmo Port (CMP) and Cruise Denmark - Copenhagen and beyond (CDCAB) respectively. CE chair Simone Maraschi set the scene with his opening remarks: “The cruise industry is not just resilient but forward looking. We are navigating challenges but also opportunities. If we embrace transparency and dialogue, we can counter misconception with tools”. The conference began with a keynote address from Felix Eichhorn, president AIDA Cruises, who began by saying that the brand carries half of the three million German cruise passengers a year and has eight out of its 11 ships based on Northern Europe and Baltic deployment. He says: “It is capacity, not demand, that is the growth limitation”, citing Cruise Lines International Association predicting 40 million passengers worldwide in 2027, a 28 percent rise on 2023. In discussing sustainability, he highlighted that: “A one-week cruise with AIDAnova from/to Hamburg to Norway releases no more CO₂ per guest than a one-way flight from Hamburg to Palma de Mallorca or Lisbon.” AIDA began planning for OPS in 2004, developed its first connection with Hamburg in 2017, plugged in 65 calls in 2023 and is aiming for 500 this year. “In Northern Europe, every second call is connected to OPS,” he said. Eichhorn’s final words demonstrate a recent shift in industry attitude: “We see ourselves as part of the local communities [we visit]. We want to be seen as a new neighbour in the neighbourhood, building bridges and understanding what is on hand there, supplies also. For example, in Nordfjordeid, the majority of their revenue is now coming from cruise.” A panel on legislation and policy across Europe began with an introduction from Heino Nau, coordinator International Blue Economy at the European Commission, in which he said that all port activities will be brought into one framework: “We want European ports and shipping to be green, and supported by appropriate funds.” (See City Hall below for more details). Panel takeaways occasionally strayed from the main topic but each had its own value. These included Niels Wammen-Jensen, group vp, government affairs (Europe) at MSC Group, pointing out that “LNG brings down GHG by 20 percent but, to reach zero, we need biofuel and synthetic methane”. Whilst Dirk Inger, vp public affairs, communication & sustainability at AIDA Cruises, added: “We cannot see the market for alternative fuels developing [as quickly as we would like]. We need political decisions. Aviation and maritime: how can e-fuels be brought to these two sectors, and not others?” Meanwhile Nick Hughes, coo Ambassador Cruises, highlighted what is seldom said and that is that the new fuels will have less energy value - and be more expensive - which will “ultimately be fed back to our customers”. He also put in a word for older tonnage, pointing out that one of Ambassador’s vessels has a carbon intensity indicator of A. Royal Caribbean’s Jonathan Hawkings, director, senior government relations UK & Nordics, was also keen to highlight that “ships also go to smaller destinations, that may not get revenue otherwise”.

20/05/2025

Small can be beautiful for niche ports

As it happens the next session was on challenges and opportunities for smaller ports which was headlined by Rannva Troest, head of cruise, Port of Runavik, who explained what has been done to ensure organic growth. This is a destination that is intent on securing and developing its future in the way it chooses, with the community at the forefront. “We have to have the courage to set limits,” she said (see also CE cruise letter April 2025). Hussain Kadir, manager global itinerary planning & development, Seabourn, was impressed with Runavik’s policy of passengers pre-paying before going ashore and hence there being no hidden extras. He added: “When destinations [like Runavik] are inter-twined, it means a lot.” Whilst Sylviane de Tracy, director cruise research & development, Ponant, applauded the fact that cruise revenue is put back into the community, which in itself is also about port sustainability. Craig Waith, country manager Grand Circle Corp, highlighted the importance of communication and dialogue: “What can we offer each other so it becomes a mutual agreement. We need clear communication from the beginning. Also flexibility to change plans if necessary to make things work.” Extending the season and winter cruising are being increasingly seen as a benefit to the region and the passengers. Ponant, for example, offers itineraries in Norway and the Sea of Bothnia. De Tracy said: “During the winter it is a totally different opportunity with different activities. Also Christmas markets. Guests can come back and see a destination differently.” The familiar topic of port bookings came up with Kadir reiterating: “We want a first-come first-serve basis for our premium guests” and another one: “We want something curated for Seabourn”.

20/05/2025

Cruise and sustainability, from OPS to incentives

Barbara Agersnap, ceo CMP, opened the session with details of the port’s onshore power supply installation and future green fuels (see also below), adding: “We will be rolling out a handful of initiatives together with Cruise Denmark - Copenhagen & Beyond, including a visitors’ reward initiative.” Carnival Maritime’s Richard Cooke, senior manager port operations & destination management, reassuringly said that itinerary planning is driven by where guests want to go, rather than by where there is OPS. Right now 70 percent of the Carnival fleet is shore-power ready and by 2028, 25 percent will be LNG-powered. Heike Naigur, senior director sustainability at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, highlighted the use of sustainability as a connective tissue between various stakeholders: “We are running out of time so we need to be in this altogether”. In terms of penalties and incentives such as the EPI scheme, she commented: “I think some of the programmes work well. Across the region it would be good to have a strategy.” While Linden Coppell, vp sustainability & ESG MSC Cruises, said: “I think EPI served a really good service when it came to Norwegian heritage fjords, as it helped with messaging to the Norwegian government. But we need to make sure it is not just another revenue scheme. We are seeing a plethora of charges all over Europe. We also want revenues to come back into port development, whether that be supporting OPS, accessibility for travellers, etc.” She cited the example of Iceland “introducing a hefty charge overnight”, leading to some cancellations. With respect to OPS, Coppell said MSC Cruises had a target last year of plugging in 250 calls but realistically this was nearer 150, due to technical challenges which she said there will always be. In terms of OPS, she was direct in saying: “We still have 450 berths [in Europe] that need OPS by 2030 at a cost of €1.5 billion. We need realistic solutions.” For the first time, the airline industry was included in the conference with input from Copenhagen Airport and SAS, both of whom value the cruise sector as a growing part of their business, with the latter actively putting on extra flights/routes to cater to fly/cruise passengers. Maria Skott, chief sustainability officer CA, said: “It may be a possibility to have different charging vis emissions and fuel from different aircraft.”

20/05/2025

Future deployment and airlift

This after-lunch session focused on a number of topics including the importance of more airlift, especially out of the US, when it comes to deployment. Kenneth Andersen, head of sales EMEA & Asia at Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)which is aiming to be net zero by 2050, spoke of a new cooperation with Delta Airlines, and said: “We are keen to cooperate with cruiselines re adding airlift.” Debbie Holbrook, director deployment & itinerary planning Princess Cruises, mentioned the importance of direct scheduled flights from California to Copenhagen, which are key for the brand. But for Holland America Line, Robert de Bruin, director deployment & itinerary planning does not “see much of a business case for a turnaround port in the Baltic without airlift from North America”. Perhaps that is about to change. Some very welcome news came in the feedback on eastern Baltic cruises without St Petersburg. Nicolai Skogland, executive director port operations & government relations, Viking Cruises, said: “Ratings are getting better than when doing St Petersburg,” acknowledging the huge amount of work that’s been done by both ports and cruiselines to make this happen. Holbrook said ratings at Princess are higher and de Bruin said: “It’s taken time to educate guests to love beyond St Petersburg.” Meanwhile James Langley, operations director at Saga Cruises, cited more calls for ports in and out of the UK as a positive as the company increases its days cruising in the Baltic to 70 this year from 43 in 2023. Adding: “Sixty to 70 percent of our guests are repeaters so we are hungry for new ports but we don’t mind if you tell us if it is too busy.” Skogland highlighted the importance of the port and destination working together so that “not too many ships are accepted”. Winter cruising is now on the agenda in some shape or form for three of the brands with Holland America Line yet to try it. The need for flexibility was voiced by all when it comes to these cruises or as Holbrook put it: “We just need to have a plan B”. Finally a word about the Caribbean and how it may, or may not effect, deployment in the region. Holbrook commented: “Ships stayed closer to home post-Covid but that is changing. We are maintaining our ships in the Baltic region. The decision is intended not to compete with the Caribbean, as each deployment is evaluated and assessed on its own merits”.

20/05/2025

Contributing to the industry: everyone has their say

Luis de Carvalho is no stranger to moderating and the workshop session, devised for CE conference attendees, provided a platform for everyone to share their thoughts. Each table was asked to discuss and feedback on one of four topics: Responsible cruising: sustainability, regulations & community regulations Strategic cruise promotion & off-season growth Crisis management & operational disruptions The digital cruise port: enhancing operations & guest experience With roughly five tables considering each topic, lively debate ensued and CMP, together with CDCAB, is collating the feedback to share with us in the coming weeks.

20/05/2025

CMP and PowerCon unveil the OPS installations in Copenhagen

Copenhagen Malmo Port (CMP) operates the ports of Copenhagen, Malmo and the cruise terminal in Visby, and is jointly owned by the city of Malmo and the Copenhagen City and Port Development Agency (By & Havn) and, to that effect, has a collective responsibility to its owners, the residents and its customers. With cruise being an important segment of the company’s activities and about 405 total calls a year, it’s imperative to keep everyone on point, and that includes high ambitions in terms of sustainability. Luis de Carvalho, commercial cruise director CMP, said: “It is not enough to talk the talk, we have to walk the walk. Approximately €50 million is being invested in one of the largest onshore power supply [OPS] installations in Europe, which is all part of contributing to the decarbonisation of international shipping, as well as emission and noise reductions, while ships are at berth.” The OPS is owned by By & Havn and CMP is operating the facility. Danish supplier, PowerCon, is responsible for the OPS installation, which will serve both Ocean Quay (three connections) and Langelinie (two connections). The inauguration of the shore power facilities is scheduled for June 2. A grid capacity of 20 MVA is available in 2025, which is primarily supplied with renewable energy, particularly wind power. By 2028 the grid capacity is expected to reach 48 MVA. To demonstrate the technical complexity involved in developing these OPS systems, it is important to understand that the cable management system (CMS), which can be transported in a 20’ container, was two years in the making. Peter Castberg Knudsen, partner and CFO PowerCon, together with his team, gave CE members, press and cruiseline executives a demonstration of just how the system works on Ocean Quay on May 6, the day after the first CMS arrived. A trench system on the quayside, with removable black composite covers, houses the cables which transfer power and provide flexibility. “When a vessel comes in, we don’t always know where it will connect as they have different hatches. We can move this system forwards and back to fit wherever the hatch is,” explained Knudsen. An additional 300m is being added to Ocean Quay, but for now CMP makes efficient use of the Oceankaj terminals that celebrated their 10th anniversary last year. Some upgrading is taking place, which includes preparation for EES (European Entry/Exit System), new screens and better utilisation of spaces and flows, de Carvalho said: “We are working with cruiselines and providers to provide whatever is needed to improve cruiseline and passenger experience at our terminals.” CMP is also looking at extending the existing cruise terminals and has also installed an overhead rail system to help stevedores with the heavy lifting in conjunction with turn-around calls. CMP has ambitions to promote and, if possible, facilitate fossil-free fuels. “We are in dialogue with cruiselines to understand their future fuels and energy demands in order for us to explore how we could facilitate - together with suppliers and partners - the best possible setup for future demands,” explained de Carvalho. As far as Langelinie is concerned, renovations including new bollards and foundations, as well as extending the width, are expected to be completed by June 2025. OPS is being installed in conjunction with the renovation. “Langelinie is not just a historic and scenic pier - it is also a very centrally-located facility. This is a plus for cruiselines and guests but also comes with the obligation from our side to ensure that the port can coexist with nearby neighbours. Shore power, but also regulations on sound and light usage, as well as proper planning and dialogue, are key to making cruise calls at this amazing terminal a success for city and guests alike,” explained de Carvalho. In terms of calls and passenger numbers, Copenhagen is also generally seeing positive developments, including the return of the large US cruiselines, after Saint Petersburg was dropped from itineraries in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Princess Cruises are bringing a third ship, Sapphire Princess, to the region in 2026 and Norwegian Cruise Line will bring the Norwegian Sun. Turnarounds will take place in Copenhagen. On the customer base, de Carvalho commented: “While the US large cruise market is gradually returning, our primary cruise visitors in Copenhagen are Germans, amounting to over 50% of the guests. This is a very strong market that visits Copenhagen on cruiseships throughout the year. We are also happy to be hosting ships through the winter and are working hard, together with the entire sector, on shifting from the typical summer deployment to being an all-year round destination.” A theme that was reiterated during the Cruise Europe conference.

20/05/2025

City Hall plays host to mayor high-level conference

With so many members of the cruise industry in town, it seemed an ideal time to put on an extra event with sustainability, integration and EU policies and regulations at centre stage. Hot off the press was Cruise Ships: Environment & Climate, an initiative by Cruise Denmark - Copenhagen & Beyond (CDCAB) and which was researched and presented by environmental engineer, Kaare Press-Kristensen from Green Global Future. Klaus Bondam, director CDCAB, says: “There are a lot of myths when it comes to tourism - also cruise tourism - so it is important to have a report showing facts and figures, when can we regulate and who is responsible for what”. An example highlighted by Press-Kristensen was that air pollution from cruiseships in Copenhagen causes health costs of roughly €7.4 million which is 0.7 percent of the total health costs related to air pollution in Copenhagen. And that OPS connections in the port will reduce the health hazard pollution at berth by 95 percent. Next up was Kjersti Aastad, city council secretary in the Oslo city council department of culture and business, who reviewed the sustainability policy, opening with: “Zero emission ports are not just a dream but a necessity. Oslo aims to decrease its greenhouse gas emissions by 95 percent by 2030, compared with 2009.” Adding: “For Oslo, cruise tourism is important. Cruise calls being reduced from four to two [in one day], reflects Oslo’s balanced approach for residents and visitors.” Jens-Kristian Lutken, mayor of employment & integration, City of Copenhagen, made it clear that he is keen to see more flights and cruiseships coming to the Danish capital: “I don’t believe we should put restrictions on this industry but work together to find new solutions, for example OPS coming in Copenhagen in one month. I think there is opportunity to expand, for example into the Faroes and Greenland which is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark.” Following a presentation at the CE conference the previous day, Heino Nau, coordinator - International Blue Economy, DG Maritime Affairs & Fisheries, EU Commission, expanded on EU policies and regulations and the new initiatives being undertaken, including the European Ocean Pact. For example, he commented: “For the first time the EU will provide a single reference for oceans across all EU policy areas. With the EU Climate Law, we have already set the ground work to drive the green transition to climate neutrality in 2050. We know the challenges we face in decarbonisation. This is an economic opportunity in our eyes. The ambition is that European shipping and ports lead in green fuels, energy efficiency and technologies. He continued: “A key initiative is the new maritime industrial strategy. The aim is to strengthen the competitive position of the European maritime industry across the entire value chain, looking for positive spillovers and industrial synergies. We have set ourselves a year to consult stakeholders to bring views and provide input and expertise so that we frame it right. This strategy has close links with the port strategy 2024 to 2029, which will look at all major issues: security including cyber, digitalisation, energy transition and military mobility.” Another initiative, and to be presented in early 2026, is the EU tourism strategy for sustainable tourism. “All stakeholders will be consulted to design this strategy. To reach our goal, again funding will be key.” A panel discussion followed, orchestrated by Bondam, with the audience chipping in with statements and questions. Nicolai Skogland, executive director, port operations & government relations at Viking Cruises, stated a goal that many in the room would support: “Cruise companies should be leading shipping and the Baltic should be a sustainable beacon for the rest of the world.” Link to survey: https://www.wonderfulcopenhagen.com/cruise/press-room/sustainability-cruise-industry

20/05/2025

Wonderful Copenhagen pulls out all the stops for CE, even the sunshine

The sun shone in Copenhagen as CE members, cruiseline and executives were shown just a small part of what the city has to offer visitors. From exhilarating rides (or carousels for the less brave!) in Tivoli Gardens and dinner at Kilden to the gala dinner in the stunning foyer of the National Museum, complete with Viking swords clashing and after-dinner dancing (a tradition for many of us), there was plenty of time to network, share stories about work and home and continue to strengthen the cohesive group that CE has become and continues to be. While members attended regional meetings and the AGM on Tuesday, others were introduced to OPS at Ocean Quay, joined the BDP bus tour and relaxed on a canal tour hosted by Stromma. Julie Kalkarup was the onboard guide everyone wants to find: informative, funny and not too wordy! Then it was onto the Design Museum - too short for many of us - and open sandwiches, followed by a tour of Christiansborg Palace. The finishing touch was a visit to the Home of Carlsberg, newly opened in 2023. A tasting of three beers was a happy conclusion to the day and a foretaste of the evening to come. Villa Copenhagen put on a sumptuous meal on the first night for a smaller group, providing a relaxed and beautiful venue to kick off the conference, whilst Scandic Copenhagen ensured conference comfort and great room views for many. A final shout-out goes to Beinir Troest Rasmussen, a young musician from the Faroes, who serenaded us and his mum, Rannva, on the conference day. As always there was plenty of time for networking, giving CE members, cruiseline executives and the press a multitude of opportunities to share knowledge and practices.

20/05/2025

Next stop is Reykjavik in 2026

We might all have had a pretty good idea where we would be travelling to for the Cruise Europe conference in 2026, but there was still a certain buzz in the air when it was announced. Sigurdur Olafsson, marketing manager Faxafloahafnir (Reykjavik and Akranes), and Gunnar Tryggvason, port director, gave us a glimpse of what is to come in the form of a video. Although the date is not yet set, it is likely to be in late May so please do make a note in your 2026 calendar. Most of the CE members I spoke to afterwards are eagerly looking forward to their first trip to Iceland … as am I.

14/05/2025

AIDA Cruises return to Falmouth

We were excited to welcome AIDA Cruises AIDAluna to APCL A&P Falmouth today for the first time - on a record-breaking visit. AIDAluna, currently on a 14-day tour around the British Isles, arrived from Portland early this morning and successfully berthed at County Wharf, making her the largest ship APCL A&P Falmouth has had alongside, at 252 metres long. Thanks to favourable weather and tide conditions, as well as the skill of our port team, AIDAluna’s 1,800 passengers were able to step directly off the gangway ready to enjoy their visit. A plaque exchange took place onboard with A&P’s Director of Port Development, Drystan Jones, Port Operations Manager, Tim Sykes, Falmouth Cruise Ship Ambassador, Keith Collings, Cruise Supervisor Jess Westlake and AIDAluna’s Captain Tobias Wirsig, and Hotel Director, Michel Klieverik. AIDAluna’s plaque now has pride of place in our growing collection. AIDAluna’s guests were warmly greeted by the Falmouth Cruise Ship Ambassadors and enjoyed a variety of tours, including a scenic countryside tour of Cornwall based on Rosamunde Pilcher’s novels, walking tours of historic Falmouth town, and local eBike tours on the ship’s iconic bamboo bikes.

12/05/2025

Adventure Sets Sail at Foyle Port as the 2025 Cruise Season Begins

Foyle Port welcomed its first cruise ship of the 2025 season yesterday, Sunday 11th May, as the state-of-the-art expedition vessel World Explorer arrived at Lisahally. Her visit marks the start of what is set to be a positive and exciting cruise season for the region. Visiting as part of a 10-day “All Ireland Cruise” itinerary, World Explorer is circumnavigating the island, having departed from Nantes, France and concluding her journey in Zeebrugge, Belgium. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reports that expedition and exploration are the fastest-growing sectors of cruise tourism, a trend that is clearly reflected in the calls to Foyle Port with 65% of visiting cruise ships classed as luxury expedition vessels. “These expedition calls are a strong endorsement of the unique experiences our region provides,” said Captain Bill McCann, Harbour Master & Operations Director at Foyle Port. “We are seeing growing interest from luxury operators who are seeking authentic, immersive experiences for their guests — something our destination delivers in abundance. From breathtaking coastal scenery to UNESCO world heritage sites, we are proud to be a gateway to some of the most iconic places to visit on the island of Ireland.” Expedition ships are typically smaller, more agile vessels designed to access remote locations. They offer adventure-rich itineraries, educational programming with regional experts, and often carry Zodiac landing craft for off-ship exploration. They combine luxury and learning, with an increasing focus on sustainability. World Explorer, chartered from Mystic Cruises by Belgium-based tour operators Rivages du Monde, is a leading example — powered by two cutting-edge Rolls Royce hybrid-electric engines that significantly reduce emissions and environmental impact. The five-star vessel docked at Lisahally while her 111 guests maximised their time in the destination by exploring Counties Derry-Londonderry, Antrim and Donegal. Excursions included visits to the oldest distillery in the world, Old Bushmills Distillery, a guided walk of Derry’s famous City Walls, and journeyed to the ancient stone fort, Grianán of Aileach in Donegal. Nick Robshaw, Director of Shore Excursions at European Cruise Services, said “It’s such a delight to be working with World Explorer and Foyle Port once again in 2025. The fact that the ship returns every year just shows the warmth of the welcome and quality of passenger experiences on offer. Our local suppliers have made every effort to ensure that the passengers have had a great time on their excursions to Derry City Centre and Walls, Grianán of Aileach as well as the Causeway Coast and Bushmills Distillery.” Following World Explorer’s call, Foyle Port will welcome two additional luxury expedition ships making their inaugural visits to the region this month. On 19th May, Silversea Cruise’s Silver Endeavour will dock at Lisahally and deploy Zodiacs to transfer guests directly to the city centre via the river — a unique and immersive arrival experience. Then, on 24th May, Exploris One from the French operator, Exploris Expeditions will tender guests ashore at Magilligan Point, offering another distinctive entry point to the region.

29/04/2025

Historical day at the Port of A Coruña with 5 cruise ships

TUESDAY 22nd APRIL, THE PORT OF A CORUÑA HAD THE BUSIEST CRUISE DAY IN ITS HISTORY WITH THE ARRIVAL OF FIVE CRUISE SHIPS • This is the first quintuple call in the history of the port of A Coruña and the second largest ever, following the arrival of six cruise ships on 2 May 2014, although then with a smaller length and less travellers. • Between passengers and crew, 14,500 people arrived in just one day on Tuesday 22nd April. • Around 150 people were involved in the operation, involving the Port Police, security forces, surveillance, supplies, transport, port companies and tourist services. • The Port Authority of A Coruña has been preparing special arrangements for several weeks, including the provision of four terminals and a service of 10 shuttle buses to speed up passenger arrivals and departures. • In addition to the two cruises on Monday 21st, this week there will be a triple stopover on Sunday 27th, the arrival of two ocean liners on Thursday 24th, and another cruise stopover on Wednesday 23rd. In just one week, a total of 13 ships and 40,000 tourists. MSC Poesia with 3,324 passengers on board, arrived at around 9:00 AM at the San Diego dock. P&O Ventura with 4,314 passeners, docked at the Calvo Sotelo Sur dock at 6:45 AM. At 7:00 AM, the Balmoral with 1,614 passengers, was scheduled to dock at Centenario Oeste. At the same time, the Amera with 1,000 passengers on board, arrived at Calvo Sotelo Norte. The last, and largest vessel of the day, the Celebrity APEX, carrying 2,975 passengers and 1,321 crew members. This amounts to 14,548 visitors in a single day, between the passengers and crew members of the five ships. The special arrangements for this quintuple call have been coordinated by the Port Authority of A Coruña, with the Port Police playing a leading role and 150 staff involved between port personnel, surveillance reinforcements, State security forces, Corunna Cruise Terminal, transport, tourist services, supplies and port services, among others.

29/04/2025

OPS comes to Cruise Port Rotterdam

After a construction period of 22 months, the Cruise Port Rotterdam onshore power installation was officially opened on 31 March, 2025, on the Holland Amerikakade. Boudewijn Siemons, CEO Port of Rotterdam Authority, said: “After an intensive construction period, we are today taking an important new step in making the port of Rotterdam and the city more sustainable. Shore power for cruiseships is a crucial and necessary part of this.” With the commissioning of this installation, Cruise Port Shore Power (CPSP) is staying ahead of European law, which stipulates that all cruise ships in European ports must use shore power by 2030. The shore power installation was built by Danish company PowerCon in collaboration with Port of Rotterdam Authority, the municipality of Rotterdam, STEDIN, IGUS and project partners J P van Eesteren, Heijmans, Royal HaskoningDHV and Xylem on behalf of Cruise Port Shore Power. In addition to the shore power facility, a 230m-long cable duct has been installed in the quay, along with a new type of connection vehicle. This provides a flexible connection point along the entire length of the quay and hence caters to all possible ship connection points. The shore power is generated by wind and solar. The composite, flexible-use support vehicle is small and therefore easy to use. The cable duct ensures that there are no obstructions or disruptions from cables on the quay. The cooling system of the shore power installation, like the cooling system of the cruise terminal, is cooled using water from the river Maas. The installation involved installing a separate 1.5km sustainable electricity grid connection from Maashaven to Wilhelminakade. Robert Simons, vice mayor and alderman for port & economy Rotterdam, said: “Cruiseships are a valuable source of income, and by connecting them to shore power, we are improving the air quality and reducing noise pollution. That is good for the quality of life and our economy. I am proud of this result and would like to thank everyone who worked towards this.” In Rotterdam, people are working hard to make the city and port more sustainable. The shore power installation for cruiseships is a unique sustainability project realised at the interface of city and port. Innovation, planning, cooperation and safety were central to the realisation of the project. The project was carried out while the cruise terminal was operational and cruiseships were docking at the quay on a weekly basis. In the first month of shore power availability, 90 percent of cruise vessels actually connected.

29/04/2025

Skagen offers OPS from 2028 as call numbers almost double

Onshore power supply (OPS) will be available to cruiseships calling Skagen from 2028. The project planning has started and the tender for relevant suppliers is expected during 2025. The €10 million investment will come from the Port of Skagen. CEO Willy B Hansen says: “Sustainability is very important to us, and we hope to become an even more attractive destination for the cruiselines in the years to come.” In addition steps are being taken by the port to establish a working group to conduct and develop products that underline sustainable tourism, including cruise tourism. The group is being established by local stakeholders and will be financially supported - €70,000 annually over three years - by the port. Hansen says: “Cruise tourism is of great value to the community. This way we are giving back to the community to maintain a positive attitude during cruise calls. Also our one-ship policy on certain peak days helps us to balance the numbers when we have a lot of local tourists, as well as cruise passengers”. Skagen is expecting 91 calls and a up to 194,000 passengers during 2025, which is an increase of 82% compared to season 2024, when the port received 50 calls.
 “It is important that local companies supplying shore excursions are proactive in their approach to off season activities. It is a benefit for both the ships and the residents to extend the season. In some cases local businesses would not have customers if the ships are not calling.”

29/04/2025

New member: Guernsey

Guernsey is rejoining Cruise Europe to help promote its inclusion in European cruise itineraries.   As a destination, Guernsey is ideally located for European cruises and offers idyllic island charm, a vibrant seafront and unique economic advantages such as tax-free shopping.   Following its recent rebrand, Cruise Guernsey is delighted to be part of Cruise Europe, to make the most of what the association has to offer its members and establish itself as an integral port in the Bay of Saint Malo, alongside ports such as Le Havre and Cherbourg.   “We are aiming to further expand our offering beyond round-UK itineraries,” said Mark Renouf, cruise operations and business development manager, Cruise Guernsey.   Cruise Guernsey has recently unveiled its new branding and social media accounts to help capture what Guernsey has to offer, both as a destination and a port, and reflect a programme of investment in cruise facilities.   There are two berths and three anchorages in St Peter Port, Guernsey. Berth 1 has a length of 131m and draught of 5m and is just 600 metres from the Town Centre. Anchorage A is 0.7nm/8 minutes tender ride from Albert Pier, B is 0.85nm/9 minutes and C 1.25nm/12 minutes.    Albert Pier, which is a pontoon with a length of 51m and maximum draught of 1.8m, is the tender pier for cruise ships at anchor. For any ship with a capacity of over 3,000 passengers and having booked far enough in advance to be the first to book, there will be pier exclusivity.   “We can tender up to four tender boats at once, subject to size.  We also have two local shoreside tenders for charter that have capacities of 240 and 150,” explains Renouf.    A port calendar is in place, which guarantees berths booked and shows any changes in booking information.   There is a tourist information team on-site at Albert Pier as well as a bar/restaurant, shop/souvenirs, free WiFi and toilets. New shore excursions are being developed such as seaweed foraging.   In 2019, the Guernsey received 86 calls and 115,243 passengers which dropped to 57/ 37,831 last year but rising to 61/49,957 this year which includes SeaDream Yacht Club, which will call for the first time. Inaugural visits will also come from World Traveller, Star Pride, Oceania Vista and Ilma.

29/04/2025

Aalesund shares its OPS know-how

In the first full year of onshore supply (OPS) being available in in Aalesund, 60 percent of the ships arriving on the 284 calls (189 in 2019) plugged in, with the hope for this year being 70 percent. Ole Christian Fiskaa, port director Ports of Aalesund, says: “The cooperation with the cruiselines has been quite amazing so far. They actually do come as they say they will. I don’t think it would be an option to have this many ships if we had no OPS.” Although there have been the usual and expected technical issues at times, these have been resolved by the port working together with the cruise company calling on the solution. Two large ships can be connected at the same time on the pier with the present capacity being 32MW. Fiskaa explains: “We have three connection points at the pier and we also have a flexible cable management system. This year we will also be installing OPS for a smaller ship alongside also which may mean a slight increase in the capacity." The city has a long history with the fishery industry, the cruise quays originally being used for the fishing boats which came into the centre of the city. It is with some pride and a great positive for the community that “the money we make on cruise activity we now spend on infrastructure for the fishery industry and cargo ships, which is possible because of the income that comes from the cruiseships calling”. The journey to OPS began in 2018 when discussions took place with cruiselines and the local politicians of Aalesund. A 50/50 percent joint venture was established with Plug with about 20 percent of the total €12 million investment coming from Norwegian government subsidies. The cruiselines paid a fixed price per kW hour throughout last year which hopefully will continue on into this year. Fiskaa says: “The more cruiselines connect, the higher the possibility is to lower the price.” There is also a connection fee for each connection, which covers the work of connecting the ship. For new ships there is a commissioning process for the first call which comes at a fixed price. Commenting on OPS, Fiskaa says: “This has been a very good strategic move for the port because we have received tremendously good feedback from the local community, politicians and the locals. They see that we really do work to improve the community and the sustainability of the business.” As far as community attitude to cruise goes, he explains that 60 to 70 percent of the population are positive, 15 percent “tend to have negative views and the rest are indifferent”. The aim now is to try and “smooth out but not grow the main season and show the cruiselines the benefits of visiting Aalesund during the six months of the winter,” explains Synnove Johnsen, port press relations &marketing manager cruise, Ports of Aalesund.

29/04/2025

Runavik welcomes the world into its community

Captain Torbjorn Jacobsen is not only the Mayor of Runavik but still pilots the ships coming in. He is in the unique position of coming from both sides of the industry and, since 2016, has ensured that the money coming into the port is being used in the port for projects, such as quayside development. “The strategy for cruise in Runavik is not just as a money machine. My thought is to have a nice feeling for passengers and for the locals to be able to meet people from other countries. We use money from the cruiseships to also put into educating our young people on becoming more internationalised. It is important to include the locals when we have a call, working closely with tour operators, shops etc.” In 2010 there was only one call to Runavik but then came 11 in 2018, 25 this year and 30 in 2026. The larger ships tend to call Runavik, with smaller vessels calling (on anchor) the nearby villages, which are limited to three calls a year. Each village has a particular theme with the most recent being a grouping of three: Elduvik for storytelling and myths; Funningur for history and legends (having its first two calls next year - from Silver Wind); Oyndarfjordur for trade and industry. Rannva Troest, head of cruise at the Port of Runavik, is keen to point out that the money from cruise stays in the villages and that for every call there is a tailor-made plan. “There is always a welcome event and ‘Ask Me’ locals around the town to assist passengers. This year we will have a mobile information desk on the pier in Runavik. Now that we have experience of last year’s 25 calls, we know we can handle the ships.” This year the season starts on May 3 and ends on October 18.

29/04/2025

Roenne will open a new pier this fall

A new 374m-long, 11m-deep cruise pier is being built at the Port of Roenne, with completion expected in the fall. This new facility will replace the berths used over the past three years, which are needed by other business sectors, explains Yana Grundke, chief business officer at the port.   In addition, accessibility to the old cruise pier will also be improved this year through the removal of the inner breakwaters and the extension of the southern outer breakwater. These measures will significantly enhance navigation and manoeuvring conditions by creating a much calmer harbour basin.   The new pier is close to Destination Bornholm’s (DB) visitor centre - just a 15-minute walk - and about 20 minutes on foot to the main square in the city centre. There are 70 calls booked this year, which is a 150 percent increase on 2015, says Torsten Engsig, cruise coordinator DB.   A working group has been established to explore the possibility of installing OPS at the new pier. Grundke is confident that it will happen, stating: “We will do it, but we don’t have a date yet.”

29/04/2025

Caen-Ouistreham upgrades facilities and services for cruises

This year marks Caen’s millennium and with it has come some exciting new developments which will add to its attraction as a small-ship cruise port.   The castle has reopened after two years with a new landscaped park and immersive experience into the history of both the castle and the city. “As a small boutique port, we can arrange private access to many of our sights throughout the year,” explains Morgan Pravos, cruise manager Caen-Ouistreham Normandy cruise.   A new berth, replacing the previous one at Quai Gaston Lamy, which can take ships up to 165m in length, is due to be inaugurated when Grand Circle’s Clio arrives for a two-night stay and turnaround on June 4 to 6. There will be a cycle and pedestrian walkway at the new pier to connect it to the medieval historic centre. On the Millennium maritime weekend of June 27 to 29, there will be 48 sailing ships visiting the city including the iconic Le Belem.    In addition, it has been possible to increase the navigable width of the Caen canal by 10m width for the end of summer 2026 with the replacement of the Colombelles bridge, which will be welcomed by cruise captains, says Pravos. This will not stop calls for the 2026 season, as the port remains fully open.   The port has a second dedicated cruise pier Quai de Calix for ships up to 175m, which is a second power situation just before the bridge which has an air draught of 33m.   This year, the city will receive five calls, but 12 are already booked for 2027, three short of the port's target of 15 per year. Pravos explains: “We want to provide a personalised experience for all the calls that come to Caen. This includes free shuttle buses, free cycles and tourist kiosk on the pier and a special welcome funded by the cruise club.    Cruise in Caen is all about community : “Investment in the new cruise pier will come from the city because it is important that both passengers and locals be connected to both the port and the city. It's also one of the reasons why we created our cruise club 10 years ago with all the port and tourism stakeholders, to build the perfect experience for cruise guests.” 

29/04/2025

Le Havre prepares for new terminals and OPS connections this year and next

Work on Terminal 2 and 3 at Le Havre is on track for a joint opening in November, while Terminal 1 - which faces the UNESCO World Heritage city - is due to open in spring 2026. Once complete the port will be able to accommodate three ships on three calls with a total of 13,500 passengers. The conjoined Terminals 2 and 3 can cater to 6,000 and 4,000 passengers each for transit and turnaround operations. What is very special about these terminals is that the public will be able to access the open park at the end of the quays and to the Terminal 1 via the roof walkway without straying into ISPS territory. The first onshore power supply connection is currently being tested and will take place at Terminal 2 by June 2025. The first connections at Terminal 1 and 3 are due to take place in mid and late 2026 respectively. Herve Geraud, OPS project manager at HAROPA Port, explained that studies had begun in 2018, prior to any regulatory requirements. Ships of up to 14MW (and a total of 30MW) will be able to connect on each of the three quays. There are four 15kg plugs and a cable management system in place to provide grid electricity which is 67 percent nuclear with the balance being from hydro, solar and wind power, together with a small amount of LNG. The total investment for the terminals, renewed quays and OPS is €120 million which includes subsidies from the French government and the EU and the region of Normandy but primarily comes from HAROPA port for the OPS part and Le Havre Crosieres for the construction of the terminals. Geraud says that OPS is a service rather than a commercial enterprise but that 15,000 tonnes of CO2 each year will be avoided because of it. With mandatory connection due in 2030, those ships that are unable to comply will pay a penalty to the EU if they are not zero-emissions. For further detail please see https://www.cruiseeurope.com/news/news-ce-press-1733929012/

29/04/2025

Tallinn/Estonia is out in force at Seatrade Cruise Global 

Tallinn is just one part of a wider Estonian government vision for both the maritime and tourism industries. The appearance of a large delegation, led by vice-minister for maritime and water affairs, Kaupo Laanerand, to Seatrade Cruise Global demonstrated the country’s commitment to these sectors. Furthermore, Estonia is just about to introduce the €25 million support measure for greening of ships.    “Cruise business is crucial for us. It is great to come where companies have done so much already. Cruise tourists are great ambassadors, even though they are a small part of our tourist numbers. From the government side we are very interested to see big businesses growing more, and smaller players too. We see great potential, also in the maritime sector when it comes to retrofitting the existing cruise fleet to green technologies or to make them more environmentally friendly,” he says.     Onshore power supply (OPS) has been a vital component of its quest to develop different green corridors: starting with Tallinn to Helsinki, a route which carries eight million passengers a year. “Our Port of Tallinn project was the biggest OPS project in Europe when we started. Local company Shorelink is definitely in the top three innovative suppliers of OPS worldwide. We also have large scale automooring systems in the port supporting OPS systems [presently on ropax but will be with cruiseships at the new terminal]. There is also a smart port solution in use for ferries, whereby people with vehicles are directed automatically,” explains Laanerand.     However OPS is not without its difficulties as he pointed out: “OPS itself and the solutions to connect the vessel is easier to make happen. Our biggest challenge is to get the grid strong enough. The connection for cruise needs huge investment. We are looking to the government and the EU for investment. My biggest concern is that, without government support, some ports won’t have the financial capability to do this.”     On the tourism side, Laanerand talks about how Tallinn, in cooperation with Stockholm and Helsinki, is working on how the region can bring back the major cruiselines, with higher passenger numbers, that it had prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “The cruiselines are positive but it takes time.  We are not protesting against the vessels. We are happy to have them. Locals like to see the beautiful white ships and residential areas are not so close to the ports. Estonia is a excellent location to visit.”     On the outfitting side, he says: “We have the full value chain in Estonia to make all interiors required for retrofitting, and in innovative way. We have all the producers and we are already supporting big players such as Meyer Turku.” He cites an example of the new approach, whereby cabins are made from plastic from the sea and there are new innovative light materials that can be used: “We can create a sustainable cabin, but with luxury looks. Our producers have found a way to make each cabin 200kg lighter and, if there are 1,000 cabins to be built, the weight can be reduced by 200t. The lighter the ships, the less fuel, the less port dues, the less CO2 and it is more sustainable.” 

29/04/2025

Niamh McCarthy shares her thoughts on The Cruise Cast

During Episode 4 of Cruise Europe’s The Cruise Cast, Niamh McCarthy of Excursions Ireland discusses the behind-the-scenes minutiae that go into making a successful shore excursion, providing her top tips to colleagues in the industry. She also tells Sonia Limbrick from Dover about her experiences in the cruise industry and the importance of delivering a good product. Tune in now on Spotify or use the following link: https://tinyurl.com/TheCruiseCastEpisode4

29/04/2025

Afternoon Tea for CE members

Cruise Europe is offering its members the chance to tune into its newly-launched Afternoon Teas. These will be online, informal meetings discussing topical subjects with relevant members contributing their expertise. The first one was hosted by Ana Lourenco and CE’s subgroup for sustainability. The topic was onshore power supply (OPS) and 90 persons attended. Port members Aalesund, Aarhus and Amsterdam generously shared experiences on this subject, which continues to gain momentum as regulations come into play.

29/04/2025

CE reception at Seatrade Cruise Global sets the stage for the week

More than 400 people attended the annual Cruise Europe reception on the Monday night in Miami. This year it took place outside in the garden of Santorini Georgios with plenty of room to network and take the weight off your feet.    The atmosphere was lively, the food went down a treat and it is clear that this venue provides an excellent backdrop to the growing success of an association, which is moving on leaps and bounds, both in terms of its business and its members.    During the week a number of CE members took part on conference panels and the CE stand played host to numerous meetings between ports and destinations and cruiseline executives.    Jens Skrede, managing director CE, says: “We will be coming back next year, hopefully with an even larger stand and more partners. We have also rebooked the Santorini by Georgios for our reception, as it turned out to be a perfect venue for us”.