News Archive

29/08/2023

New associate member: Nautilus Port Services

Nautilus Port Services (NPS) acts as port agents, customs broker, ship chandler and luggage handler for the cruise industry. It has offices in Rotterdam (HQ), IJmuiden, Vlissingen, Antwerp and Zeebrugge and handles over 80 cruise calls a season within The Netherlands and Belgium.   
“With an intricate understanding of maritime logistics, hospitality, and local regulations, our skilled cruise team ensure that every port call is a seamless and unforgettable experience for both travellers and crew members alike,” says Ron Meuldijk NPS. 
 “We collaborate closely with local authorities, tour operators, and service providers to coordinate the arrival and departure of ships, facilitating a wide range of activities such as passenger embarkation and disembarkation.” Its logistical operations cover everything from coordinating ground transportation and baggage handling to arranging immigration and customs procedures, as well as staying abreast of weather conditions, tide schedules etc. “Flexibility and adaptability are key traits of our team, as we often navigate unexpected situations such as schedule changes, medical emergencies, or unforeseen challenges. As port agents, we are dedicated to making every moment ashore an exceptional one,” adds Meuldijk.   NPS is the local partner of Luggage Free which offers a service whereby passengers can ship their bags directly to their desired destination. The service includes tracking, insurance coverage, and the option to customise shipping preferences. 
Luggage transportation to and from airports and hotels is arranged via NPS’ fleet of trucks.

01/08/2023

CRUISE PASSENGERS IN PORTO CRUISE TERMINAL INCREASED 88% IN THE FIRST SEMESTER

ANOTHER RECORD-BREAKING YEAR IS EXPECTED TO 2023 Cruise activity at Porto Cruise Terminal increased 88% in the number of passengers and 12% in the number of cruises compared to the same period of 2022. In the first six months of the year, the port welcomed 56 cruise ships (seven of them were new to the port) and 68.203 passengers, which means this was the best 1st half ever for cruise activity at the port. Compared to the 1st half of 2018, which was the best year ever in the number of cruise passengers, our Porto Cruise Terminal activity grew 21% and 42% compared to 2019, the last pre-pandemic year. There was also an 8% growth in the number of cruise ships, both compared to 2018 and 2019. The majority of the passengers visiting the Porto Cruise Terminal and the Porto & the North of Portugal Region were from the United Kingdom (41%), followed by Germans (26%) and those from the USA (20%). The size of ships calling the port has also been increasing. The average length of ships was 218.5 meters, which means a growth of 3.1% compared to 2022. Over 2018 and 2019, growth was 6.6% and 10.3% respectively. The total GT in these first six months recorded a growth of 29.4% compared to 2022 and a growth of 36% and 26.1% compared to the pre-pandemic years of 2018 and 2019 respectively. 2023 will be another record year for the Porto Cruise Terminal as 127 cruise ship calls are already planned and end year numbers are expected to be above 150.000 passengers visiting Porto and North of Portugal Destination.

23/07/2023

Cruise Port Amsterdam is open for business as usual

Despite some news reports, Cruise Port Amsterdam (CPA) is open for business as usual with cruiseships continuing to call as per the schedule, explains Dick de Graaff, director Cruise Port Amsterdam. On July 20, the coalition parties of Amsterdam city council called for a ban on ocean-going cruiseships docking at the current location in the city centre, ie CPA. The council has appealed to the College of Mayor and Aldermen who have yet to respond. De Graaff says: “There is no policy proposal yet nor has there been mention of any timeline. Cruise Port Amsterdam has taken note of this statement and awaits further information. We believe this may involve investigating a new location. When the response will come, we do not know at this moment.”   A few weeks ago the city council agreed to install onshore power at the terminal, with completion scheduled by 2025. The terminal will then have one connection for sea-cruise and eight for river cruiseships. At present CPA has bookings up to and including 2026.

18/07/2023

Aarhus exceeds onshore supply expectations

The Port of Aarhus has become the first port in Denmark to offer onshore power supply (OPS) to cruiseships.    The official opening took place on June 20 when AIDA Cruises’ AIDAmar connected for five to six hours, almost the entire length of her stay in port.   In the past few weeks, at least six ships - TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 4 and 6, Holland America Line’s Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam, AIDAsol and Fred Olsen Cruise Line’s Bolette - have connected with three to four more expected this year.    Morten Kusk, commercial manager Port of Aarhus, says: “We have exceeded expectations. We do not know the exact number of cruiseships that will connect to shore power as we are working on a case by case basis. But there is great interest from the cruiseship companies in making their ships capable of receiving shore power. We are already experiencing that all the ships that can utilise shore power are also eager to do so.”   He is confident that next year between 30 and 40 percent of those ships that do call will connect to the OPS, with more and more doing so in the future.   The total investment for the installation was €7 million, of which the port contributed €5 million, the city of Aarhus €1 million and the EU €1 million. Local supply company Konstant is supplying the energy and is guaranteeing to the port that it will always be able to supply the electricity required.   The 16mW installation is located on Pier 129 with connections both fore and aft to cater to the different hookup locations on board different ships. A cable management system ensures there is extra cable available when necessary.    One ship can be supplied at a time at the pier, which can accommodate ships up to a maximum of 319m length overall.   The energy supplied will be 75% green this year, 90% next and 100% in 2025. The source comes from wind turbines.

18/07/2023

New member: Vagur

The Port of Vagur in the Faroe Islands is Cruise Europe’s newest member.    It has two quays - 86m long and 10m depth and 130m/7m - all located just 400m from the town centre although shuttle buses can be arranged on request.    On June 27 Adventure Canada called with Ocean Endeavour bringing 175 passengers. Prior to this the port received a call of similar size in 2018. “We are currently in the process of preparing the port for the cruise ship industry and trying to get calls for 2024,” explains Magnus Pauli West, tourist manager in Vagur.   In connection with the port’s efforts to get more cruiseships, he adds that an online calendar will show what ships are arriving when rather than the present one which only shows past calls. There are also eight large anchorages and several smaller along the tender quay.   Although there is no terminal, the port area is closed off and passengers and crew are within easy reach of town centre, a tourist information centre, WiFi hotspots, public toilets, shops, cafes, green spaces and tourist attractions.   Looking ahead, Magnus Pauli West says: “The port is undergoing developing a new strategy and looking into becoming a greenport. This strategy and the work afterwards will include updates to current facilities at the harbour.”   When it comes to shore excursions, he says: “The tourist information centre tailor-makes destination packages for arriving ships. These could include the Faroese chain dance, guided tours, excursions, access to museum and art galleries, beer tasting and much more. The emphasis is on local and sustainable.” In addition a cruise catalogue is being designed which will be ready and available, both in print and online, at Seatrade Europe in Hamburg in September. This handy document highlights Vagur as a sustainable tourist destination, the local attractions and products on offer and the fact that a deep fjord shelters Vagur from currents and waves, making it a safe and reliable port of call.

18/07/2023

Gdansk is ready to accept more calls

In 2022, the Port of Gdansk serviced 79 vessels with 29,251 passengers on board. This was its best year ever, both in terms of the number of vessels calling at the port and the revenue from port fees, which was nearly 2.5 times higher than the previous 2018 record. This year the first vessel to arrive in the Port of Gdansk was Plantours’ Hamburg on April 20 with the final call from Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' Hanseatic Nature being on December 17, hence extending the length of the season considerably. There are about 45 calls scheduled this year. The longest vessel to arrive was Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ Bolette at 238m, on May 10. The capabilities of the port are however much greater. Theoretically, it can accommodate up to 120 calls a year. All operations take place at the handling quays: Obroncow Westerplatte Quay, Oliwa Quay and WOC II Quay. The development of cruise shipping is influenced both by the geopolitical situation in the region and the involvement of local authorities and tourist organisations. “We need to convince cruiseship operators that the Baltic Sea basin is a peaceful and safe region. “We need to be active in such organisations as Cruise Baltic and Cruise Europe, where we can present our commercial offer at trade fairs for Europe or the United States,” says Michael Stupak, customer manager Port of Gdansk. “In the light of the last trade fair in Miami, in which we participated, it is clear that what attracts shipping lines is the tourist offer of the port city. We want to show the potential of Gdansk and the whole of Pomorskie. We have a great opportunity to take over tourists previously sailing into the port of St Petersburg.” The port focuses primarily on offering an attractive tariff by applying a progressive rate depending on the number of calls. “This allows cruiselines to cost-effectively plan the arrival of ships into the port,” says Stupak. The destination is not only the city of Gdansk but the entire Pomorskie region, which has many attractions, ranging from the largest medieval castle in Malbork to a golf course just 30 minutes from the port.

18/07/2023

Bilbao chosen as MSC’s port of embarkation to Dubai

MSC Cruises has chosen Bilbao as the port of embarkation for its MSC Grand Voyages itinerary. On October 30, MSC Virtuosa will set sail on a 23-night voyage taking in destinations such as Naples, Athens, Petra and Muscat, as well as crossing the Suez Canal before arriving in the United Arab Emirates. The cruise facilities of the Port of Bilbao in Getxo are expected to exceed previous records this year, with 80 calls scheduled this season. There will be 14 first time vessels to the Spanish port including those from Ambassador Cruise Line. Ranging in size from The World to Anthem of the Seas, vessels from brands such as Cunard Line, Oceania Cruises and Disney Cruise Line will form part of the line up. One of the highlights of the season are the two itineraries that Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Gem will make with departure from and arrival to Getxo, visiting emblematic cities of Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. The first trip takes place from September 7 to 19. Passengers will visit Bordeaux, Amsterdam, London, Brussels, Paris, Lisbon, Vigo and A Coruna. The second leaves on September calling at Lisbon, Portimao, Cadiz, Gibraltar, Motril, Ibiza, Palma, Saint Tropez and La Spezia.

14/07/2023

The cruise terminal in Tallinn was awarded the international Green Key certificate

The cruise terminal of the Old City Harbour of Tallinn was awarded the Green Key, which assures both cruise passengers and the guests and partners visiting events at the cruise terminal that we operate in an environmentally sustainable manner. Chairman of the Board of the Port of Tallinn Valdo Kalm said that applying for the Green Key certificate for the cruise terminal of the Old City Harbour is part of the sustainable development strategy of the Port of Tallinn, one significant aim of which is to contribute to more rigorous environmentally friendly practices, decrease the ecological footprint of our activities, and meet the goals of sustainable development. “The Green Key is essentially a sign of quality in operating as an environmentally friendly and sustainable conference and visitor centre for the cruise terminal. Whereas for cruise lines and event organisers, Green Key is a point in favour of choosing an site and creates added value,” Valdo Kalm added. Green Key is an international ecological certificate for tourist undertakings and is a leading standard since 1994 used to acknowledge environmentally friendly and sustainable tourist destinations. Nearly 4000 companies from 60 countries worldwide have now obtained the certificate. The Green Key programme contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN. The cruise terminal of the Old City Harbour as a holder of the Green Key certificate complies with the following significant criteria: • Requirements to waste: we sort garbage and recycle whenever possible. We avoid any excess packaging and the use of disposable dishes. • Requirements to energy: we use automation in our facilities, energy is produced by solar panels adapted to the Nordic climate, the building is heated and cooled by marine energy via a heat pump. • Requirements to water: we select taps and other sanitary equipment based on how much they save water and encourage our guests to drink tapwater. • Requirements to food: we serve more vegetarian food, using domestically grown clean produce and produce from small manufacturers. • Requirements to cleaning: cleaning agents are dosed in advance and we only use agents with an ecological certificate. • Outdoor maintenance: we do not use pesticides and water sparingly, as needed. • Purchases: we have chosen partners and suppliers whose transparency, integrity and responsibility we can be sure of. The international promoter of Green Key is the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). Green Key offers an operating model to tourist undertakings to develop corporate environmental friendliness and a sustainable approach. A high level of environmental friendliness is ensured by documenting operations, independent auditing, and site inspections. In Estonia, the certificate is coordinated by the joint efforts of EAS and Kredex. The modern and varied cruise terminal of the Old City Harbour and its promenade open up the seaside for the cruise guests and local residents to spend their free time. Beside servicing cruise guests, the cruise terminal is during the offseason a popular venue which stands out with its gorgeous and modern interior architecture. The modern and environmentally friendly cruise terminal and its surroundings can be used to host various events – conferences, exhibitions, fairs, concerts, corporate parties.

05/07/2023

THE HAMBURG CRUISE DAYS 2023 ARE BACK IN ITS OLD STRENGTH

Hamburg Cruise Days press release: Hamburg, July 5th, 2023 - An event full of emotions and unforgettable experiences - that's what visitors can expect at the ninth Hamburg Cruise Days from September 8th to 10th, 2023. Nine impressive cruise ships, the legendary Blue Port Hamburg and a high-quality program on land and on water ensure a unique maritime atmosphere in the Port of Hamburg. Once again on board as a premium partner: AIDA Cruises. The Hamburg Cruise Days 2023 are in the starting blocks and promise to be an unforgettable experience for all cruise fans. Because from September 8th to 10th, the Port of Hamburg will once again be the stage for the cruise. With a colorful program of information, entertainment, culture and culinary delights on land and an impressive nine cruise ships on the Elbe, the "most beautiful cruise festival in the world" will take people on an atmospheric journey again - and is guaranteed to awaken a longing for the sea. Michael Otremba, Managing Director Hamburg Tourismus: “The longing for a change from everyday life and special experiences is one of the most powerful travel and leisure motives, especially in the current times. Unique events such as the Hamburg Cruise Days offer Hamburg residents and guests exactly that: The program, the integration of the cruise ships and the Blue Port make the port more tangible and tangible than anywhere else. Visitors can look forward to a unique atmosphere.” Nine ships in three days, premium partner AIDA Cruises The Hamburg Cruise Days 2023 await with a total of nine very different ships that can be admired over the three days of the event - from ocean cruisers to expedition and river cruise ships: AIDAprima, AIDAperla and AIDAsol (all AIDA Cruises), Artania (Phoenix Reisen). ), Mein Schiff 6 (TUI Cruises), MS Frederic Chopin (Thurgau Travel), MS Sans Souci (PLANTOURS Cruises), VASCO DA GAMA and WORLD VOYAGER (both nicko cruises). For the sixth time in a row, the organizers were able to win the shipping company AIDA Cruises as the premium partner of the event, which will be present on land this year with three ships and the popular "AIDA Holiday World". The AIDA holiday world will be an absolute highlight for visitors and will take all guests on land on a journey through the world of cruises. Immediately at the Kehrwiederspitze, AIDA presents itself with the two-storey show cabin and a holiday world on 600 m² directly on the water. For example, you can find the AIDA kissing stop, which was created with great attention to detail. The sustainable highlight: the entire holiday world consists of 95 percent reusable materials that can be used again for future events. Felix Eichhorn, President of AIDA Cruises, explains: “AIDA has a long and trusted partnership with Hamburg and the Port of Hamburg. With more than 120 departures per year, we offer guests the greatest variety of trips from the Hanseatic city and are therefore not only an important ambassador for the gateway to the world with our ships, guests and crew, but also an important economic factor for the location. The cruise connects countries, cultures and people and creates emotions and lasting unique experiences like no other form of vacation. The Hamburg Cruise Days transport this special spirit to land for several days and inspire guests from all over the world.” The harbor edge becomes a world of adventure The Hamburg Cruise Days invite you to "go ashore": On the event area between Landungsbrücken and the Elbphilharmonie, the land program attracts with a mixture of culture, gastronomy, entertainment and activities for all generations. The participating shipping companies AIDA Cruises, TUI Cruises, MSC Cruises, nicko cruises and Cunard Line present themselves with exciting promotions and offers. There is good entertainment, fine cuisine, interesting facts about cruises, destinations and travel options, an adventure world for children, acrobatics and live music, a Ferris wheel for the perfect view of what is happening, a salsa dance floor and a König Pilsener beer garden. The ROCK ANTENNE Hamburg stage provides a variety of entertainment, and the Hamburg Cruise Days Studio with live broadcast and LED video wall provides guests at the event with exciting information from the world of cruises. Highlights on the water - for all the senses The first highlight of the event awaits visitors on Friday evening with the production "Rhapsody in Blue". Then the port and the VASCO DA GAMA will be solemnly staged by nicko cruises in front of the magical blue backdrop of the Blue Port Hamburg - accompanied by music, moderation and a blue final fireworks display. The undisputed highlight on the Saturday evening of the event: the Great Hamburg Cruise Days Parade. Most recently, before the pandemic, she was with the Hamburg Cruise Days 2019, this year it is back in all its glory: the Great Hamburg Cruise Days Parade. Five cruise ships - AIDAprima, Mein Schiff 6, VASCO DA GAMA, WORLD VOYAGER, MS Sans Souci (order still open) - will then move down the Elbe together and offer a breathtaking spectacle, which is accompanied by music and moderated by the Hamburg actor Marek Erhardt. The parade is led by AIDAprima, which is staged with its own light show, each of the following ships is accompanied by a fireworks sequence. With the MS Sans Souci, a river cruise ship is taking part in the parade for the first time. A final fireworks display is the crowning highlight of the evening. "The Hamburg Cruise Days - that's a very close-up cruise experience and a very special, nostalgic atmosphere in the Port of Hamburg," explains co-organiser Katja Derow (redroses communications). "Following the 'special edition' of the event last year, we are pleased to be able to present the event again this year in its old strength and with the popular highlights. The people of Hamburg and guests from all over the world can look forward to eventful days and atmospheric evenings in the Port of Hamburg.” Blue Port Hamburg It has been closely associated with the Hamburg Cruise Days since 2008, but always stands out as a work of light art in its own right and attracts thousands of people to the port of Hamburg in the evening hours: the Blue Port Hamburg, staged by Michael Batz. As in previous years, the light artist is dividing his work of art into two phases: the Blue Port Hamburg Art from 1.-7. September and the Blue Port Hamburg Event, which lets the port shine in magical blue during the Hamburg Cruise Days. With the light-up on September 1st, the edge of the harbor will be bathed in the first blue light, after which the light artwork will continue to grow into the harbor every day and illuminate dozens of buildings, bridges, ships and objects on the edge of the harbor until it is in full force on the event date splendor shines . “The blue light has an impression of great calm, stability and serenity. The color blue draws us into the distance, blue conveys wanderlust,” says Michael Batz, explaining the fascination of his work of art. “Overall, the Blue Port is the story that just keeps going. It's not just about making something blue. It's about telling the story of the port and showing change and development.” Sustainability - a big topic The Hamburg Cruise Days offer the cruise industry a stage - and thus always also the public discussion about the sustainability of the industry. For many years, the shipping companies have been working to protect marine ecosystems and use resources sparingly, and are investing in new ships and emission-neutral propulsion technologies in order to achieve the long-term goal of climate-neutral cruises. This year, too, the participating shipping companies will therefore actively address the topic in their country presentations and present their developments and achievements in this area - e.g. with technical content, multimedia information or playful hands-on activities. “The cruise industry has set itself ambitious sustainability goals and has the high aspiration to reconcile sustainability and growth. As organizers of this event, we observe and welcome that,” explains co-organiser Uwe Bergmann (uba). The sustainable planning and implementation of the event itself is also a central aspect of the Hamburg Cruise Days. A comprehensive sustainability concept was developed for this purpose, which includes a waste avoidance strategy and a waste separation system across the entire site. Further measures such as a one-way ban, climate-friendly communication, reusable systems and digital information options for catering offers will also be introduced. The "Green Fork" seal system indicates sustainable gastronomy. A barrier-free design and the use of an internal "green checklist" to record CO2 emissions for water, electricity and waste are also part of the concept. Public event at the port – trade fairs at Messe Hamburg From September 4th to 10th, 2023, the metropolis of Hamburg will not only welcome the general public, but also professionals from the industry: For the fourth time, the Hanseatic city is bundling its cruise-related events and will once again be the stage for major cruise events. The Ports and Destination Summit of the world's largest cruise association CLIA (September 4th/5th) marks the start of this unique cruise week, followed by the two trade fairs Seatrade Europe and Marine Interiors (both September 6th-8th). Seatrade Europe is the premier event for the entire European cruise and river cruise industry; Marine Interiors is Europe's first independent trade fair for interior design, equipment and technology for passenger ships. The highlight of the week is the Hamburg Cruise Days (September 8-10). With this combination of specialist events and public event, Hamburg will once again become a hotspot for the entire cruise world in September 2023.

22/06/2023

Cruise underway at Port of Aberdeen’s new South Harbour

The 2023 cruise season is well underway at Port of Aberdeen, which will welcome a wide range of new cruise vessels to the city, boosting the regional economy by more than £4.2 million. With more than 40 calls scheduled from May and October*, and up to 34,000 tourists visiting the North East of Scotland, the benefit to local businesses this year and beyond could be significant with cruise calls to Scotland generating an average spend of £134 per passenger per call (source: Cruise Scotland). The first cruise call to the new £400 million Aberdeen South Harbour was the eye-catching, 203m long AIDAaura on 2 May and has been followed by the NG Resolution, the Ocean Endeavour and the MS Amera amongst others. To support the growth in cruise Port of Aberdeen has been working with partners including leading tourism agency VisitAberdeenshire, Aberdeen Inspired, Visit Scotland and the local authorities to position Aberdeen City and Shire as a prime tourist destination. Aberdeenshire was recently named by Good Housekeeping as best place to visit in 2023. Bob Sanguinetti, Chief Executive, Port of Aberdeen, said: “We are delighted to welcome a host of new cruise ships to Port of Aberdeen in the maiden year of South Harbour. “Our investment in South Harbour will allow us to handle much larger cruise ships than preceding years and we expect to see year-on-year increases in the number of cruise calls. It's encouraging to see that major international cruise lines are already booking their larger ships for calls to Aberdeen in 2024 and beyond.” Port of Aberdeen has a proven track record welcoming boutique and expedition cruise ships to North Harbour, and now extends this expertise at the transformational South Harbour. The new deepwater harbour significantly increases the port’s capacity for cruise calls and will be able to accommodate cruise ships over 250m in length. Port of Aberdeen is a gateway to the stunning scenery, rich cultural heritage, and impressive architecture of North East Scotland. We look forward to welcoming more cruise lines and tens of thousands more passengers to experience this incredible region every year. Chris Foy, Chief Executive, VisitAberdeenshire, said: “The opening of the South Harbour to cruise ships in 2023 is a timely boost to the tourism and hospitality sector in the North-east. Disembarking passengers - who will be met by our Welcome to Aberdeenshire volunteers – will have a wealth of experiences to enjoy during their time on our shores, planting the seed for future travel back to Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire for a longer stay.

16/06/2023

Hamburg shorepower gains traction

Hamburg decided very early on in favour of a sustainable development of Hamburg as a cruise location. The Hamburg Senate supports this decision by expanding the shoreside power infrastructure. From 2025, all Hamburg cruise terminals will be equipped with shorepower technology, making Hamburg the first port in Europe to offer an alternative energy supply for ships at berth at all its cruise terminals. Yet, it needs the collective efforts of cruiselines and ports to drive progress in making shorepower a widespread and viable solution. In this context, the commitment of two major cruiselines to increasingly use shorepower when calling Hamburg can be seen as a great success. In May, the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and TUI Cruises signed a long-term cooperation agreement for the supply of shorepower to the ships of the TUI Cruise Group. The agreement covers all ships of the TUI Cruises brand, such as Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 6, as well as ships of the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises brand, such as Hanseatic Spirit, Hanseatic Nature and Europa 2. Likewise, in early June MSC Cruises and the HPA signed a memorandum of understanding on the use of shoreside electricity at Cruise Center Steinwerder. The authority is also negotiating to conclude a long-term cooperation agreement on the supply of shoreside power to all MSC Cruises’ vessels during their stay in the port of Hamburg. Both agreements, with TUI Cruises and MSC Cruises, are a clear signal that the cruiselines want to continue on this path of shoreside power supply. And, since shorepower is part of Hamburg's ZERO-Emission-at-Berth objective in the port, it continues to be in close exchange with the cruiselines in order to qualify and certify further ships for the regular use of shorepower while at berth. Depending on completion of the new OPS system in Steinwerder (commissioning is planned for October 2023), HPA will be able to connect up to 80 calls to its OPS systems this season, supplying ships at berth with shorepower from renewable energies.

16/06/2023

Runavik promotes local communities 

The Port of Runavik in the Faroe Islands can accommodate ships of all sizes but is also opening up some exclusive destinations for small and expedition ships in the local communities. During the past few years the Port of Runavík has, together with Visit Runavik, developed a safe and sustainable product for expedition ships in cooperation with local inhabitants. The maximum number of allowed calls is three ships a year in each village. Elduvik has three calls this year, two from Hurtigruten’s Spitsbergen and one from Lindblad Expeditions’ NG Explorer,. Funningur has one ship, Quark Expeditions’ Ocean Adventurer, calling. Meanwhile Oyndarfjordur may enter the market.  There are only 12 people living in Elduvik and 70 in Funningur and they are more than happy to welcome cruise passengers, explains Rannva Troest, head of cruise Port of Runavik. The previous calls have been a wonderful experience for both locals and cruise guests.   “We are really thinking about social sustainability,” says Troest. “We are working with tour operators to influence and develop tours within our community. We have 15 villages in the Municipality of Runavik and we wish to keep the passengers in our area. “This requires a lot of preparations and planning. We are developing different local experiences and getting people to open up their houses. We want the benefit to go to the locals and the local community.   “Communication is key. It is important for social sustainability that, for example, the port, the municipality, the cruiseline, the port agent, the tour operator and the locals all work together.”   There are 12 calls to the Port of Runavik this year including those from Holland America Line, Ponant, Oceania Cruises (overnight), Phoenix Reisen, Adventure Canada, The World (overnight), Hurtigruten and Regent Seven Seas Cruises (overnight).

16/06/2023

HaminaKotka receives great guest feedback

The Port of HaminaKotka’s season began on May 18 when Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ Balmoral sailed into Kotka Kantasatama city, to be followed at the end of the month by Saga Cruises’ Spirit of Discovery calling Kotka Mussalo container port.   “Kotka is an ever-popular port of call for our ships, providing something a little different to the headline ports that make up a busy Baltic sea cruise,” says Simon Giles, destination experience executive Saga Cruises. “We are guaranteed a warm welcome here and our cruise guests are always greeted ashore by some local entertainment, alongside an enthusiastic and helpful team.” 
“The quaint city is a delight to explore independently, from the town square with its inviting coffee shops to the beautiful water garden and impressive Vellamo maritime exhibition.   “An impressive selection of shore excursions are also available to our guests in Kotka. Our most popular offerings are the opportunity to sail on a masted-ship through the archipelago or take a boat ride to the Imperial Fishing Lodge, surrounded by beautiful nature.    “For something a little different, a trip to nearby Malmgard Manor hosted by the wonderful owner Count Henrik Creutz is a special and memorable experience.   “Although Kotka may not stand out in a cruise itinerary that features many lauded European cities, after visiting here it is certainly a place our guests won’t forget,” he concludes.   In early June Silverseas Cruises’ Silver Wind sailed twice to Ulko-Tammio in Gulf of Finland National Park, a first for the island. “This was a unique new experience for all stakeholders, to arrange a spectacular new experience of nature luxury on an unpopulated island," says Petra Cranston, project manager cruise business Port of HaminaKotka. “The overall feedback from guests, crew and captain of the ship was excellent.”    The easternmost cruiseport in the Baltic has not suffered from its location, explains Cranston who says that passengers are interested in being able to visit the border towns of Kotka and Hamina, hear about the cultural and maritime history, as well as experiencing nature in the nearby archipelago and the river. “Feedback has been only positive as they can see how peaceful and safe it is to be here. The location close to Helsinki and Tallinn gives a good opportunity for the cruiselines to make their visits in port longer as the distance between the different ports is short,” adds Cranston.   Independent travellers can explore Kotka, an island centre surrounded by the sea and dating back to 1879 and/or Hamina, a star-shaped small fortress town with many old picturesque wooden houses and an interesting history established in 1653.   The season continues into August with calls from companies such as Hanseatic Cruises, Phoenix Reisen, Norwegian Cruise Line, Noble Caledonia and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.    The majority of passengers are American, British and German although many different nationalities also visit. This year about 20,000, including crew, are expected to visit the two towns between May and August.

16/06/2023

Bodo named 2024 European Capital of Culture

Bodo will be the first city north of the Arctic Circle to hold the European Capital of Culture title in 2024.   Passengers arriving into Bodo next year will be able to enjoy a variety of extra events in different locations. More than 600 are planned, with the Sami culture playing its part. The year starts of with a major opening ceremony in the harbour on February 3, leading in to the Sami week. Subsequent events range from hosting a concert inside Pluragrotta - northern Europe’s largest water-filled cave south of town - to Project 67, a shipping container-turned-mobile art space inspired by the nomadic culture of the region’s indigenous peoples.   “It is all about spreading Arctic culture around Norway and Europe,” explains Erlend Willumsen, director of market and development Port of Bodo.   Unfortunately for the Norwegian port, the pandemic years reduced the city’s ability to promote the event as much as it might, but Willumsen is optimistic about the benefits, saying: “We have heard from cities like Aarhus and Stavanger that they had growth from cruiselines because of being capitals of culture in the past. “And we still have the availability to host more ships throughout the cultural year. We will be happy to help cruiselines plan according to the cultural calendar”.   For many years there were just under 10 calls to Bodo but, prior to Covid-19, the number had been growing significantly with 45 calls scheduled in 2021. Although this year the number has reduced to 30, next year 35 are booked which is in line with the port’s aim to “grow slowly and safely and to be a medium size cruise port,” catering to ships up to a maximum of 300m in length.   Willumsen comments: “We want to be sure that we can deliver good products, both to the cruise lines and for their passengers. It is always nice to work for new lines but it is even better to have them back.”

16/06/2023

Rouen Armada attracts a worldwide audience

Every four years, the banks of the Seine River in Rouen, France, play host to the Rouen Armada, bringing in millions of visitors from around the world. “This festival is a celebration of maritime heritage and an extraordinary platform for cultural exchange,” says Jaco Seyffert, ocean & river cruises promotion and marketing manager Rouen Tourism. From June 8 to 18, a fleet of historic and modern sailboats form the heart of the event. Visitors are treated to ship visits, parades, concerts, and fireworks displays. A diverse programme of musical performances from various genres and talented artists is also available and the event provides activities suitable for all age groups, ensuring families are welcome. In addition, the festival promotes eco-friendly initiatives, encouraging participants and attendees to take responsible actions toward protecting the marine environment as well as the festival itself. Widespread media coverage highlights Rouen as a must-visit destination, showcasing its rich maritime history and heritage to a global audience that dates to ancient Rome.   The event contributes significantly to the local tourism industry, generating revenue and boosting the city's overall economy.   The Armada's success is made possible by a dedicated team of organisers and volunteers, as well as Rouen Tourism and HAROPA Port. During the event, there will be 41 river cruise calls from 22 ships sailing the Seine, out of a total of 902 during 2023. In terms of economic impact, Seyffert says: “On average there will be about 6,100 passengers spending about €70 each, bringing a total of €428,000 during the 10-day event. But seeing that it is the Armada, we expect the passengers to spend more.” “We hope that cruiselines will see the attraction of this great event and bring us ocean calls in the future,” he adds.

16/06/2023

CE gets ready for Seatrade Europe

Cruise Europe (CE) will be attending Seatrade Europe 2023 from September 6 to 8 in Hamburg. The conference theme, Scaling Sustainably, underscores the Seatrade Europe agenda and will cover topics, such as: logistics & capacity in port; factors affecting itinerary planning; developing destinations; rethinking shore excursions & experiences; and next steps to next zero. The association will be holding its traditional reception on September 5 at the Cafe Schone Aussichten from 1800 to 22000. CE members, cruiseline executives and media will be invited to join in this great networking opportunity which is being sponsored by Columbus Cruise Center.

12/06/2023

Port of Hamburg and MSC Cruises sign a declaration of intent to use shore power

Hamburg Port Authority press release: The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and MSC Cruises have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI). As part of a business delegation, Economics Senator Dr. Melanie Leonhard and HPA Managing Director Jens Meier attended the christening of the newest MSC cruise ship "MSC Euribia" in Copenhagen. On this occasion, MSC Cruises reaffirms its intention to reduce the environmental impact of cruising and emissions during the Laying time in the port of Hamburg. In the signed declaration, MSC Cruises declares its intention that the ships "MSC Preziosa" and "MSC Euribia" as well as other suitable ships in the future should obtain shore power in the Port of Hamburg. Furthermore, MSC Cruises and the HPA are in the process of signing a long-term cooperation agreement to supply all MSC cruise ships with shore power during their stay in the Port of Hamburg. For 2024, 29 calls by the "MSC Preciosa" and 51 calls by the "MSC Euribia" are expected. Hamburg's Economics Senator Dr. Melanie Leonhard: “Together we want to design cruises in such a way that the negative impact on the environment is kept to a minimum. The port of Hamburg is the most important German cruise port and the starting point for year-round trips to all areas. We are pioneers in the installation of environmentally friendly technologies, we promote standardization and in this way navigation ecologically and technologically. The investments in the Port of Hamburg are paying off for everyone involved." Jens Meier, CEO of the HPA: “We are pleased that MSC Cruises would also like to contribute to avoiding CO2 emissions in the Port of Hamburg by using shore power in the Port of Hamburg. Only together can we achieve the goals in terms of climate protection and air pollution control.” Linden Coppell, VP Sustainability & ESG at MSC Cruises: “Shore power supply is an important one Building block in our puzzle on the way to greenhouse gas-free ship operation. Therefore, not only have all of our new ships been equipped with a shore power connection since 2017, but older ships in particular are being made fit for shore power operation through consistent retrofitting. Together with modern fuels, such as currently LNG for our newest ships 'MSC Euribia' and 'MSC World Europa', far-reaching measures to increase energy efficiency as well as innovative wastewater treatment or waste recycling and many other activities, we are making great strides towards sustainability." About the Hamburg Port Authority: The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) has been operating a future-oriented port management from a single source since 2005 and is active wherever efficiency, safety and profitability are concerned in the Port of Hamburg. The HPA meets the growing demands of the port with intelligent and innovative solutions. The HPA is responsible for the efficient, resource-saving and sustainable planning and implementation of infrastructure measures in the port and is the contact for all questions regarding the water and land-side infrastructure, the safety and ease of shipping traffic, the port railway facilities, real estate management and the economic conditions in the harbour. The HPA provides the necessary areas for this and assumes all sovereign tasks and port services. It markets special, port-specific expertise and also represents Hamburg's port interests at national and international level. www.hamburg-port-authority.de Contact: Hamburg Port Authority AöR | Press Office | Phone: +49 40 42847-2300 | Email: pressestelle@hpa.hamburg.de

26/05/2023

The adventurous and special cruise of Silversea takes the cruise passengers to Saaremaa island

The 2023 cruise season on Saaremaa island was opened by a special cruise. On 26th of May the Silversea Cruises ship Silver Wind visited Saaremaa harbour and brought to the island 185 adventurous and nature-loving cruise guests. This cruise is special as it mainly visits islands and smaller and less discoverd cruise destinations around Baltic Sea that offer different experiences. The ship's previous destination before Saaremaa was Christiansø Island in Denmark and the next destination the Gotska Sandöns Nationalpark in Sweden. Silversea introduced Saaremaa to their guests as the largest island in Estonia. It retains much of the traditions in architecture, costumes and even the local dialect. The only town is Kuressaare, where the 14th century bishop’s castle is among the best preserved medieval buildings in the Baltic. The beautiful and well preserved old town is also well worth exploring. It’s said that Saaremaa is famous for windmills, black rye bread, and strong beer. Once every farm had its own mill, and although many have fallen into disuse, some are now being restored. The flour from the mills was once used for the many types of local bread, which is still made and enjoyed, as is the bottled beer from Saaremaa’s brewery notably the strong Tehumardi and the Christmas beer that warms up winter evenings.

22/05/2023

Helsinki targets families and has plans for OPS

Cruise call numbers may have been decreasing in Helsinki and neighbouring Baltic ports since Russia invaded Ukraine but Kaj Takolander, vp passenger services Port of Helsinki, has spotted an opportunity for the family market. “When St Petersburg was on the itineraries, all the shore excursions were built around couples and adults as it isn’t really a family destination. Cruiselines are looking for new market segments in 2025. Countries in the eastern Baltic have stable democracies, a nice climate in the summer and family attractions in all the ports. All the Nordic countries are inside the Schengen and hence passengers don’t need visas to go ashore independently,” he says. Takolander also points out how successful TUI Cruises is in the Baltic with its family-friendly cruises but he adds: “Destinations need to be quite proactive and promote family-ready options. It is a question of meeting the cruiselines’ needs.” When it comes to OPS, the port has a plan to provide connections for cruiseships, despite the major expense of bringing it from the nearest distribution centre. “Because it is a big infrastructure change, we will have to phase it in with other building works. We hope to be able to connect large cruiseships between 2027 and 2030 depending on these city construction works.” The energy will come from a mixture of solar, wind, wave and nuclear. At present Finland imports about 18.5% of its total energy needs, but with a new nuclear plant being commissioned this year, the country will become self-sufficient. The majority of power is nuclear (27.6%), hydro (19.3%), biomass (12.4%) and wind (9.6%%) while natural gas, coal and oil account for only 8.7%. The port already has four OPS connections for ferries which are in daily use, so it has plenty of experience to call on. Ideally there will be three connections for cruiseships but Takolander points out that the high cost of installation means that the port “would need long-term commitment from the cruiselines, even though one company does not need to commit to all of it”. The hope is to get some funding from the EU. Cooperation and networking with associations, such as Cruise Lines International Association, local stakeholders, tour operators etc, are key to finding solutions whereby ports build on their strengths. “All ports cannot invest in everything so cooperation with others will mean they don’t die even if the big ships don’t call and they cannot install OPS etc. What is comforting is that cruiselines are investing and seeing a growing market in holiday makers, families and also in the ultra luxury and expedition sectors.” While call numbers in Helsinki have dropped from more than 300 in 2019 to 164 in 2022 and 94 in 2023, the situation is looking better for the future. Takolander concludes: “At last we seem to be on a growth pattern. Both for 2024 and 2025, we are expecting more calls. There is a clear trend that the lines are looking for more segments for the Baltics.”

22/05/2023

Bilbao prepares for OPS to be operational by 2025

Bilbao Port Authority’s BilbOPS project to deploy OPS technology based on renewable energy - wind, solar, wave - via 11 connection points on seven quays at an investment of €51.8 million is underway and is due to be operational by 2025. Investment amounts to €47.5 million, 30% (€14.2 million) of which is co-funded by the EC through the CEF Transport 2021-2027 programme. The project has also secured a €5 million grant for the new A5 Quay through the Recovery and Resilience Facility. The project also provides for the setting-up of a PV plant for self-consumption purposes. In addition the port will offer alternative fuel services from Petronor including hydrogen and an e-fuel plant. LNG will also be available and there will be a floating mobile OPS for a wider reach. There will be 48 charging stations for electric cars. BilbOPS states that there will be a direct improvement on the quality of life of 125,000 citizens, 116,000 passengers and 10,000 workers through better air quality - greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by 40% - and reduced noise and vibration levels. “This is further proof of the progress and commitment of the port to providing an optimum service for cruiseships,” says Gloria Frau, cruise manager Port of Bilbao. Adding: “This strategic investment positions the Port of Bilbao at the forefront of the network of European ports deploying this sustainable technology at the service of its customers, and in line
with the EU ‘Fit For 55’ objectives. The 2023 season began on April with the arrival of Princess Cruises’ Sky Princess, which will call four times this year. Around 80 calls are expected with Ambassador Cruise Line coming for the first time and 14 cruiseships making inaugural calls to the Spanish port. There will be two turnaround calls during the season: Oceania Cruises’ Sirena to Israel in May and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Gem to Northern Europe in September. Highlights include Disney Cruise Line returning with Disney Dream; Royal Caribbean International’s Anthem of the Seas making four calls and MSC Cruises making six calls, one of them with MSC Fantasia. Once again this year, the port authority will provide a shuttle service for those companies requesting it.

22/05/2023

New member: Poole

At 10,000 acres, Poole harbour is the largest natural harbour in Europe. Ships up to 210m in length can be accommodated at the Port of Poole’s South Quay berth.   The harbour is an area of international importance for wildlife conservation and has been classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) as well as a Special Protected Area (SPA) and European Marine Site (EMS). Brownsea Island - the birthing place of the Scouting movement and home to thriving natural habitats, including the rare red squirrel and a huge variety of birds - sits in the middle of Poole Harbour.   The port caters for both turnaround and transit calls. It has a dedicated lounge for cruise passengers and is a 10-minute walk into the historic Poole Quay.   Rosie Macnamara, project manager cruise Port of Poole, says: “The Port of Poole is a great boutique cruise destination perfect for luxury and expedition-style ships. Since the construction of our new berth in 2018, we are able to accommodate larger ships, and building up our cruise calls is one of our key masterplan priorities for the near future. We have a breadth of experience in doing turnarounds, which we have done in the past, and we will be looking to do more of that in the next few years”.   The season opens on June 18 when Ocean Odyssey arrives into Poole for the first time.   With its central position on the south coast of England, Poole is 38 miles from Southampton Airport, 94 miles from Heathrow Airport and 120 miles from Gatwick Airport by road.   The Port is just 30 minutes’ drive from the key sites of the Jurassic Coast, England’s only UNESCO natural World Heritage Site with its 185-million-year history. It is also within easy reach of two further World Heritage Sites: Stonehenge and the City of Bath. There are many experiences for guests within a 45 minute radius, including a wildlife tour of Brownsea Island, sea kayaking around the Jurassic Coast, going back in time aboard a historic steam train at Swanage Railway, visiting Corfe Castle, a thousand year-old castle ruin, or visiting the ancient manor of Athelhampton, constructed in Tudor times.   Poole is located within the urban area of Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, with its population of over 400,000 inhabitants. The Bournemouth Air show, taking place end of August/ beginning of September,  attracts hundreds of thousands of people. The show includes the Red Arrows, RAF Typhoon, dusk flying with fireworks and many other displays.

22/05/2023

Klaipeda has its sights set on a new cruise facility

Klaipeda State Seaport Authority is in the planning stages of implementing a new cruise quay for completion in 2026. In 2024, the tenders will go out to select both the contractor and the terminal operator.    The plan is to build the new quay within the city waterfront district, which is also being developed. Within walking distance of the old town, there will be two quays of 220m and 369m in length and 8m and 11m draught respectively. The total area will cover 30,236m2.   This is adjacent to the existing quay which is 349m in length and has a depth alongside of 8.6m.   The total project cost will be funded by the Seaport.   In the last decade, calls to the port have hit highs of 62/63 (2022, 2017 and 2014) with numbers for this year due to reach 44. Passenger numbers peaked in 2017 at 74,700 with this year 45,000 expected. Out of the total port dues, about 1.8% (€750,000) come from cruise companies. Passengers spend an estimated €70 a day when visiting.    In 2022 the fairways were dredged up to -15m and this year the port entrance is being widened and dredged.

22/05/2023

IJmuiden considers its OPS options

The Port of IJmuiden has undertaken a feasibility study to look into the technical requirements, cost and funding of installing onshore power (OPS) at the port. “We already have a form of OPS for smaller support ships and fishing vessels but not for the capacity of large cruise and ferry vessels. The study for ferries is complete and, if it goes ahead, would be at the Felison Terminal,” explains Alexander Coesel of KVSA/Royal United Ship Agencies, the owner of the terminal buildings and operator for cruise and ferry handling. As far as the cruiseships are concerned, a feasibility study is now taking place into possible installation at the Monnickendamkade with results expected in July. In 2019 the port had its best cruise season to date, receiving 63 calls. In 2022 MSC Cruises’ winter programme was partly responsible for the 45 calls booked but this year the line has increased the size of its ship to beyond IJmuiden’s capabilities and so is calling Rotterdam instead. Although 2023 will see a decrease to about 25 calls, next year will be back up again to between 40 and 45.

22/05/2023

Kristiansund expands Smola Island offering

Since 2014, National Geographic expedition vessels have called Smola Island, Kristiansund, on an annual basis (apart from from during the Covid years). This summer Noble Caledonia will be calling for the first time, bringing Hebridean Sky twice.
 Smola is a tender port available for small and expedition sailings only. However a new ISPS-approved floating berth, able to receive guests for further transport to the mainland of Smola, will be available this summer season.  During the stay, guests can visit both a living fishing village (Veiholmen) and a vacated one (Brattaeret). Other activities include: sea eagle safari, hiking in Dyrnesdalen or kayaking in the archipelago with a local guide. 

 The inaugural call of Fred Olsen Cruise Line’s Bolette to the Port of Kristiansund was the first official call of the season on March 16. However, Saga Cruises’ Spirit of Discovery made an unscheduled call at end of February due to weather challenges during the original sailing route. 

A total of 24 calls are expected to the region in 2023, 19 to Kristiansund and five to Smola island. Although there are fewer calls this year than last, passenger numbers are expected to be higher due to more medium-sized ships calling. “In addition, the length of stay for the cruiseships is increasing, meaning there is more time to experience the region with the Atlantic Ocean Road as the top attraction,” explains Erika Indergaard, cruise and marketing manager, Port of Kristiansund and Nordmore.