News Archive

18/01/2023

Roenne on Bornholm welcomes new customers following infrastructure development

The Port of Roenne has gained new customers since extensions were made to the port infrastructure in 2019 allowing for larger ships to call. In the past cruise lines such as AIDA Cruises and Holland America Line were bringing ships up to 240m in length, but now they are able to bring in their larger vessels. Also now able to call with large ships are Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, TUI Cruises, Cunard Line, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line. Last year was a record year with 65 calls carrying 35,00 passengers, the latter being less than full capacity on board which is not unusual following the Covid-19 pandemic. MSC Preciosa is the largest to call to date, being 333m in length. A further 14 calls were made to other parts of Bornholm island, mostly by expedition ships. This year about 50 calls are expected to the Port of Roenne (over 60 in total to Bornholm). In terms of sustainability, the port has established a partnership - Bornholm Bunker Hub - together with Orsted, Bunker Holding, Topsoe, Ramboll, Bureau Veritas, Molslinjen and Wartsila, with the vision of establishing Port of Roenne as a hub for green fuels for shipping, hopefully by 2025. The plan is for fuels, such as biofuels, methanol and ammonia, to be made available on customer request. Depending on the type and quantity these can be imported or produced locally. Yana Grundke, chief business officer for cruise Port of Roenne, says: “The primary production of green electricity in 2030 will come from offshore wind, but local renewable production like solar, onshore wind and biomass will also be contributors. “By 2030 Bornholm will be one of two Danish energy islands with significant amounts of green electricity, which amongst others, can be used for production of the green fuels offered by Bornholm Bunker Hub. The green power can also be part of onshore power supply in the port,” she adds. To date the port has not received any direct requests from cruise lines but Grundke says that dialogue is taking place to see if the port is able to accommodate customer needs.

18/01/2023

Stockholm opens new quay and prepares for OPS this summer

Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambience was the first to call at Stockholm’s new quay F655 on May 20 2022. The official inauguration took place on June 21 with Oceania Cruises’ Marina alongside (pictured).    The new quay at Frihamnen in the heart of the city is 330m in length and will allow more capacity for turnarounds. There is ample space to facilitate arrivals and departures for buses and taxis at the quayside. A temporary tent acts as the terminal when needed.   Stefan Scheja, manager cruise and ferry Ports of Stockholm, says: “During 2022 we had 16 calls to the quay and for 2023 we, today, have 14 calls booked at F655, a lot less than expected, but an effect of the Ukraine war.   “We haven’t seen the benefit of the quay yet because, for example Costa had 17/18 turnarounds this year and next but, due to the situation, they have changed their plans.”   Indeed calls generally are down in Stockholm this year and last. Prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, there were over 300 calls booked for 2022 but the resulting number was 205. Scheja is keen to point out, however, that a positive that has arisen for Stockholm is that a lot of companies chose to stay extra nights last year. For example there were 87 overnight calls, 10 calls for two nights and five for three or more. “This has been a great benefit for Stockholm and cruise tourism, giving passengers the possibility to explore more of Stockholm, everything from our history to culture and enjoying delicious food,” explains Scheja.   For this year the hope is for similar call numbers to 2022 but he explains: “We are still seeing changes to itineraries and they are coming close in, not one year but just one month ahead for cancellations.”    Another plus for the port is that it is due to be one of the first in the Baltic to supply onshore power (OPS) when it goes live at quay S167 in Stadsgarden this July/August. A second facility at S160 is planned to be ready for the 2024 cruise season.   The total investment is SKr120 million (€10.6 million), of which about 40% is being covered by subsidies from the EU and The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.    Scheja comments: “We hope to start testing connections in the summer and after that have ships connecting on a regular basis. Despite the tough times of the pandemic and now the Ukraine war, this is a top priority for ports. The EU’s *Fit for 55 [introduced in July 2021] has also meant we, along with five to six other ports in the Baltic, are applying for further funding.   “I think it is very important to provide a good product in a sustainable way. We are very proud of what we are doing here in Stockholm. Everyone is eager to connect and I think most of the cruiselines will do so, which is a good advertisement for their customers, for the industry generally and for the company, for sure, to spread the message.”   Finally he hopes that the energy crisis will improve so that the prices for connecting to this 100% fossil-free power whilst in port will be more comparable to the fossil fuels being burnt on board.     *From January 2030, ships staying for more than two hours in a port would have to connect to OPS, unless they used another zero-emission technology.

18/01/2023

Calls to Gothenburg in 2022 were the highest in its history

In 2022 the Port of Gothenburg accommodated 81 calls, seven higher than the previous record season in 2014. 
“It is a big increase following the pandemic, even though it is other tragic circumstances that are behind the upturn to a large extent,” says Nicole Brattasen, cruise operations manager Gothenburg Port Authority. “As a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Russian ports were excluded, and the shipping companies had to find alternatives [to St Petersburg]. In Gothenburg, we already had a good booking situation for 2022, but the number rose in the spring with 30 bookings as a result of the geopolitical situation.” The majority of cruise passengers to Gothenburg are Germans, followed by the British and then Americans. “We are selling Gothenburg as a bit of a break in the regular cruise range, depending on the target group. For big city cruisers for example, we are a slightly more relaxed city with a nice vibe. For expedition cruisers on the other hand, we are a fun detour from fishing communities and smaller villages where we can offer a little more pulse and a big city feel,” explains Brattasen. The 2023 cruise season looks set to be another record year with 92 calls booked to date. But in the long term, Gothenburg wants to continue to strengthen its competitiveness as a destination in a global cruise industry that is facing several challenges. Like other industries, the cruise industry is also facing sustainability challenges where, among other things, ships are connected to electricity at the quay to an increasing extent and are looking at alternative ship fuels such as biogas and methanol. “The destinations also need to do their part, and Gothenburg is at the forefront. When it comes to alternative fuels for example, the Port of Gothenburg was the first in the world to introduce operating regulations for the bunkering of both methanol and biogas, and we are investing heavily in becoming a central bunkering hub for alternative fuels. It contributes to increasing the rate of conversion and at the same time makes us more attractive as a destination for shipping companies that invest in green conversion,” says Brattasen. The cruise industry at large has also gone through a baptism of fire with the pandemic, with the recovery still ongoing. In total, Gothenburg had around 80,000 cruise visitors in 2022, and many operators clearly notice an upturn of sales when there are passengers visiting. “The occupancy has been around 70% on the ships. There is a caution from both shipping companies and passengers where they do not want to take any risks. We are also seeing new patterns on land, for example the demand to book entire restaurants or concert halls where you stay within the cruise bubble has increased.” “At the same time, there is also an opposite trend where you want to get closer to people, meet locals, visit farms, microbreweries and such. Cruise passengers are not a homogenous group but individuals who want to experience different things,” continues Brattasen. This year 92 calls are scheduled including first timers Ocean Odyssey, The World and Clio (to the American Cruise Terminal) and Renaissance, Seven Seas Navigator, Princess Caribbean and Explora I to Arendal.

18/01/2023

Stakeholders meet in Stornoway to discuss how best to handle cruise growth

More than 120 representatives of business, local decision-makers and tourism providers gathered at Stornoway’s Lews Castle in mid December, to discuss the ‘transformative change’ expected from the significant cruise growth expected, starting this year. The event was jointly organised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Stornoway Port Authority (SPA) and Outer Hebrides Tourism, which have come together to explore the economic potential of tourism, expected to be generated through the new deepwater terminal development scheduled for completion at the end of the year. Updating attendees on the development’s progress, SPA chief executive Alex Macleod stated that it would unlock the islands’ potential as a perfect location for cruise lines. Speakers included David Selby of Travelyields Ltd who explained why cruise companies pick the ports they go to and what they seek from destinations; Nick Robshaw, director of European Cruise Services, on how to engage with the industry; and Isle of Lewis crofter Donald ‘Sweeny’ Macsween on his experiences of hosting passengers and getting them involved in crofting, who also explained how he has turned his own business into a tourist attraction. Councillor Donald Crichton, chair of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's (Council of the Western Isles) sustainable development committee, said: "This event provided local businesses and communities with an insight into the needs and wants of the cruise industry … to allow them to sustainably harness the economic value of the local cruise sector.” MacLeod said: "The new deepwater terminal will enable Stornoway to welcome the world to our islands to fully enjoy their unique hospitality, culture and history. It also represents a major investment in our infrastructure to serve the cruise industry and other sectors. It was an extremely successful event, which generated a lot of ideas and enthusiasm.” This year the number of calls scheduled is 103, a significant increase on the 64 in 2022. Cruiselines visiting for the first time in 2023 include MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Ambassador Cruise Line and Explora Journeys. In addition, the island’s Destination Management Organisation - Outer Hebrides Tourism - has created and is interviewing for the role of cruise destination project manager to coordinate the activities of those involved in welcoming ships and giving passengers a good experience during their visit.

18/01/2023

Bilbao celebrates a record 2022 season

With the arrival of Fred Olsen Cruise Line’s Borealis on December 17, the Port of Bilbao closed a successful cruise season, with a record number of calls and passengers. In 2022, cruiseships (between 126m and 348m in length) made 78 calls to port’s cruise terminal in Getxo. A total of 108,154 passengers arrived in the Basque Country, of which 1,066 embarked and 1,022 disembarked, whilst the remainder were transit passengers. The majority were British, followed by Americans and Germans. “In addition to these post-pandemic figures on traffic flow - of great value for the economy of the area - the recovery has been rapid, and with figures previously unheard of in the Basque Country,” stated the Port Authority of Bilbao. In 2019 50 cruiseships called, but in 2020 - due to the Covid-19 pandemic - cruises were suspended in Spain as they were in most other countries. These services resumed in August 2021, with 14 cruiseships stopping over. Last year saw more cruiseships arriving but with fewer passengers on board until later in the season. Throughout 2022, cruiseships arrived both from companies that are regulars to the port and from those calling with ships for the first time. These included 20 cruiseships on a first call and a number of days where there were two or three ships calling on the same day. Passengers sailing on an itinerary out of Bilbao contribute significantly to tourism in the region, often spending a night in the city prior to embarkation which gives them the opportunity to enjoy local attractions. Facilities and services on offer include Wi-Fi, flexible and helpful management and turnaround handling at the terminal. The proximity of the Getxo terminal to the airport makes it possible to offer turnaround operations. Passengers are able to visit Bilbao and the immediate area, as well as the different attractions on offer in Bizkaia, Donostia-San Sebastian and Alava-Rioja Alavesa. Despite the difficulty of forecasting, the goal for 2023 is to exceed the number of calls in 2022, presently estimated at over 80. As the Port Authority of Bilbao points out: “This is a type of traffic that needs to develop over time. If we are going to attract, little by little, new business and new companies, we need to demonstrate repeatedly that we are capable of offering a good service. “One stand-out consequence of our efforts in this field for this year is the May turnaround of Oceania Cruises’ Sirena on a 25 night itinerary to Israel. Another is the six calls to be made by MSC Cruises, a company whose confidence and trust in the Port of Bilbao is progressively consolidating”. In addition to meetings, contacts, visits and intense commercial activity, the Port Authority will continue to take part, as they do year after year, in different fairs and events in the sector, including Seatrade Cruise Global in March, to promote Bilbao/Bizkaia/the Basque Country as a cruiseship destination. Bilbao Tourism will also be attending.

18/01/2023

Arvia made the first call of the season to Lisbon in January

P&O Cruises’ Arvia, the second British cruiseship to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), made her debut in Lisbon on January 3 on a 14-day maiden voyage. She is one of the 28 ships being constructed up to 2028 being powered by alternative fuels. Sistership Iona, debuted in Lisbon in October 2021, the first in the P&O Cruises’ Excel class. LNG is currently the lowest emission fossil fuel available in the marine industry. During her stay in Lisbon, the usual welcome ceremony took place where the port authority, the cruise terminal operator Lisbon Cruise Port, the customs and the harbour master joined Captain Robert Camby onboard. Tugboats from Portugs escorted the ship alongside the Tagus river. “It is a great honour to welcome such a technologically-advanced ship since the environmental issues are one of the top priorities of the port authority for the next years,” said Ana Lourenco, cruise and mega yacht department Port of Lisbon. “The project to implement onshore power; campaigns to monitori water and air quality in the terminal area; and participation in a study ‘Determination of the Impact of Cruise Ship Traffic on Urban Air Quality’, promoted by CLIA Europe in partnership with Universitat Rovira I Virgili from Tarragona, are some of the actions that are being taken regarding the environmental policy to be put in place.” This year the port is expecting 350 calls and about 600,000 passengers. Twenty-four ships will be calling for the first time, including Arvia, Ambience, Scenic Eclipse 2, Norwegian Breakaway, Seabourn Venture, Costa Firenze, Viking Saturn, Disney Dream, Silver Nova and Regal Princess. New companies to Lisbon will be Ambassador Cruise Line, Compagnie Francaise de Croisieres and Vantage Travel Cruise Line.

18/01/2023

The Cruise Europe family is off to lovely Lisbon

Cruise Europe’s annual highlight in 2023 will be the CE Conference (CEC) in Lisbon from February 28 to March 2.   Jens Skrede, managing director CE, says: “More than 20 cruiseline executives have committed, and we expect a record turnout from our members.”   Venues in Lisbon include the conference hotel, Olissippo Oriente, and the Lisbon Cruise Terminal. The CEC is for members only, and a must-attend event in the calendar year for the CE family.

14/12/2022

Cruiseship calls do not individually increase pollution levels in Tallinn

This summer, the Estonian Environmental Research Centre conducted ambient air quality measurements in Tallinn Old City Harbour, confirming that the Port of Tallinn has effectively mitigated the risks of air pollution from ships and cars. None of the measured pollutants exceeded the limit values.  The analysis showed that the air quality was also affected by general air pollution. This was confirmed by situations where pollutant levels were above average during periods when there was no simultaneous activity in the port. In addition, separate analyses carried out during the study showed that cruiseships do not individually increase pollution levels. This was also confirmed by the monitoring data, which showed that in some cases there were no higher pollution concentrations during the arrival and departure of cruiseships, and also during the time when the ships stayed in the port. There were also times during the measurement period when the levels were higher than average, but the wind direction was not from the side of the cruiseship berth, or the pollutant levels were higher even before the cruiseship arrived or left the port, ie the levels were influenced by other sources. When air pollution caused by cars and ships ( both cruiseships and ferries) was compared, the analysis revealed that the NO2 and SO2 levels measured in the port are somewhat higher compared to the Liivalaia monitoring station (city street with intensive car traffic), clearly indicating their origin from ships (cruises and ferries together). At the same time, there were no big differences in the levels of fine particles, and the levels were completely correlated with those measured in car traffic.   The port and shipping companies have consistently contributed to improving air quality, which has resulted in successfully keeping pollutant levels below the limit values, explains Ellen Kaasik, environmental manager Port of Tallinn.    The Port of Tallinn's environmental policy is to minimise its operations' ecological footprint and act environmentally friendly to prevent pollution. It is also a member of EcoPorts, a European port environmental  initiative, which shows that the environmental performance of the Port of Tallinn meets international requirements.  The port has invested in onshore power connection for ferries on five quays, installed automatic mooring equipment on three quays, created new  light  traffic routes and developed new green areas in the port area, explains Sirle Arro, head of marketing and communications department, Port of Tallinn. This is not the first report of its kind but is an extremely helpful tool for an industry that attracts a lot of attention when it comes to the environment. In 2018 Copenhagen Malmo Port produced a report on the environmental impact of cruiseships on Langelinie Alle in Copenhagen which also revealed some positive results. Undertaken by FORCE Technology, the location was chosen because of its residential nature. The results state that the NO2 concentrations clearly comply with the limit values and are clearly lower than on H C Andersens Boulevard (one of Copenhagen’s most central streets). The report adds that the 99.8 percentile shows that, although the average value is clearly lower than other locations in inner Copenhagen, the highest concentrations are higher than at the other locations (except H C Andersens Boulevard). This is attributed to the fact that cruiseships can cause short-term high concentrations that are still below the limit value.

14/12/2022

New member: Helgeland

Helgeland in northern Norway is located south of the Artic Circle. Cruiseship access is via the Port of Sandnessjoen. To date, there have been no cruise calls but in 2023 Norwegian Cruise Line is visiting with Norwegian Star. There are two quays available for cruise calls: Horvnes 1 and 2, each being 80m in length and 20m in depth. In addition Holmen quay (50m-long, 18m-deep quay) is located in the centre of town but is not yet ISPS regulated. The maximum size of cruiseship that can call is 300m in length, at Horvnes. The number of passengers that can be handled daily is 2,500, according to Bente Iren Hanssen, market and business development Helgeland Havn. Shuttle buses and taxis can be arranged on demand, says Hanssen. The port provides fresh water bunkering, garbage landing and grey water landing facilities. Plans are ongoing to equip the three quays with shore power. Sandnessjoen is best known for The Seven Sisters mountain range and its hiking trails. The small town has a rich Viking and Medieval history including a nearby Chiefdom and three medieval churches, as well as the more modern Petter Dass Museum. Excursions include a RiB safari in the Helgeland Archipelago, a trip to the Polar Circle or the first Arctic single malt whisky distillery, a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site Vega Archipelago or the Svartisen Glacier.

14/12/2022

Trondheim is offering turnarounds

Trondheim is looking to attract more turnarounds following its pre-pandemic experience with Pullmantur which undertook seven turnarounds a year between 2012 and 2019 and was due to increase this to eight when Covid-19 struck.   The largest vessel to turn in the Norwegian port was Monarch with 2,600 passengers. The check-in facilities have accommodated 1,500 passengers at one time and the operational staff are all locally hired.   “Being located in the middle of Norway, the port is a good starting port to access the north or south of the country,” says Maria Kuhnl Undheim, marketing manager cruise, Port of Trondheim.    Vaernes Airport is just 30 minutes/30km from the city, which is the third largest in Norway with many hotel beds to accommodate travellers, such as the Scandic, Radisson and Clarion hotels, as well as the city’s renowned 5-star Britannia Hotel. There are direct flight connections to Berlin, Amsterdam, London and Manchester per date.   In place of a terminal, the Clarion Hotel (located just 200m from the main cruise quay) is able to provide its 3,000m2 conference hall in different configurations. Embarking passengers can access the congress hall from the front and leave the building in the back lead by a fenced pathway to the ship with disembarking passengers following a different route. In addition it is possible to rent part of the nearby Pirsenter building which can also be set up in different ways.   For smaller or partial turnarounds - where passenger check-in can be done inside the ship - the port added 400m2 extra space at the quay where a tent can be set up for luggage handling.   In the past luggage screening has taken place at the airport but Kuhnl Undheim explains that alternatives can be considered together with the customer.   This year the port received 90 transit calls and for 2023 the 100 mark is expected to be broken.    Kuhnl Undheim says”: “Norway is a very popular cruise destination and most of the itineraries stop in the Western Norwegian fjords. Next year they expect as many as 35,000 cruise guests within the same area on one day. Spreading the calls along the Norwegian coastline is getting more important than ever. "Given our location within Norway and our infrastructure we would gladly dive back into offering turnaround opportunities making the north of Norway even more available.”  

14/12/2022

The EPI is implemented in Reykjavik in 2023

Beginning 2023, cruiseships calling Faxaports/Associated Icelandic Ports’ Reykjavik will be assessed according to The Environmental Port Index (EPI), a tool that allows ports to define the environmental footprint of cruiseships during a call. “The implementation of the EPI is in line with Faxaports strategic pillar regarding green ports and its strategy to take on an environmentally leading role in port – and maritime operations,” says Sigurdur J Olafsson, marketing manager of Faxaports. The goal is to establish a financial incentive system for a more environmentally-friendly and sustainable operation of cruiseships. Data for assessment of environmental performance in port must be submitted no later than 72 hours after departure. Based on that data, each ship receives an EPI score between 0 (worst) and 100 (best). If a ship does not submit data, it will automatically receive a score of 0. An EPI rating provides a maximum 17.5% discount on quay dues and a maximum 75% surcharge. Quay dues will take on a proportional change for EPI scores below and above 30. In terms of cruiseline feedback to the scheme, Olafsson says: “In general there has been good feedback since environmental matters are part of their strategy and furthermore end customers increasingly look towards environmental matters in their purchasing.”   With its emphasis on sustainability, ISO 14001 environmental-management certified Faxaports is implementing a number of further initiatives. In spring 2023 it is taking into operation shore power connection for the smaller cruiseships calling the Old Harbour in Reykjavik. Shore connections for larger cruiseships are planned during the next six years. The terminal building in Skarfabakki planned for 2024-2025 is to be BREEAM certified. Led light implementation on all quays is taking place and the majority of port vehicles run on renewable energy. The quay extension in Akranes, which will accommodate ships up to 220m, will be made with 100% recycled steel.    Faxaports, which were CO2 neutral in 2021, has a strategic plan that is based on three pillars: safe, green and effective ports. Olafsson says the goals in this respect include: improving waste disposal management; more efficient use of natural resources; increasing carbon offsetting; increasing environmental protection awareness; improving air quality in harbour areas; and increasing the ratio of clean energy usage.

14/12/2022

Hamburg is to close season on a 280 high

As the 2022 season draws to a close Cruise Gate Hamburg GmbH (CGH) has registered 280 calls by 49 different ships from 20 cruiselines, 10 maiden calls, one christening and roughly 750,000 passengers as well as 41 calls by river cruise ships. “After two years of pandemic-related restrictions, cruiseshipping in Hamburg has made a strong comeback,” comments Simone Maraschi, managing director CGH. This year has seen the most calls ever at Hamburg, surpassing pre-pandemic levels of 210 in 2019. In 2023 Hamburg is expecting 283 calls and a further 37 calls by river cruise ships. Eight maiden calls are scheduled at Hamburg (among them two ships from new shipping companies, Ocean Albatros of Albatros Travel and Explora I Explora Journeys). When it comes to sustainability, Hamburg was the first port in Europe to make the decision to electrify all permanent terminals by 2040. Hence, in the second half of 2023, cruiseships berthing at the Cruise Center Steinwerder will be supplied green shoreside power. The facility at the new Cruise Center HafenCity currently under construction is expected to be available in the 2025 season. Jens Meier, ceo Hamburg Port Authority (HPA), says, “Ports play a crucial role in decarbonisation and keeping the air clean. Shoreside electricity enables us to significantly reduce ships’ emissions while they are docking at the Port of Hamburg. By rapidly expanding its shore power facilities, the Port of Hamburg shows its commitment to protecting the environment and takes account of the expectations Hamburg’s citizens have of a city port.” In the 2022 season, 30 ships relied on shoreside electricity supplied by the Altona station. Four vessels carried out integration tests. In 2023 twelve ships are planned to undergo integration tests. After having passed all integration tests, ships can be fully certified to use the shore power station while at berth. Maraschi comments: “Together with our colleagues at the HPA we are in intensive talks with various cruiselines that have indicated that they will fit their ships with onboard shore power equipment to enable them to rely on shoreside electricity in Hamburg. Ports and cruiselines must combine their efforts to make ports greener and get more ships to use shore power. Increased reliance on shore power in Hamburg may inspire other ports in Europe to follow Hamburg’s lead.” Hamburg will celebrate its 834th Port Anniversary from May 5 through 7, 2023 and stage the Hamburg Cruise Days from September 8 through 10, 2023.

14/12/2022

Christmas cruises to CMP to begin a wider conversation in the region

Copenhagen Malmo Port (CMP) is hosting several Christmas calls at its three ports this season. From 4 to 21 December, there will be three calls in Copenhagen (Amera, Balmoral and Arcadia), one in Malmo (Amera) and two in Visby (Viking Cinderella). Moritz Stedtfeld, cruise director of Phoenix Reisen’s MS Amera, commented on a recent call: “Thank you again to the port and city of Malmo for the warm welcome. The guests really enjoyed being greeted by Santa Claus and a musician. Also, the Lucia choir was a highlight for our guests in the show lounge, as well as the plaque exchange with the Mayor of Malmo. All in all a perfect day at a well-organised port.” Across the Baltic and wider Northern European ports, Christmas cruises are becoming more popular and recently-appointed commercial cruise director CMP, Luis de Carvalho, is keen to build on collaboration between ports and local stakeholders to ensure growth in the region. Recovering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the war on Ukraine, there is a will and a need to work more closely together to show the cruiselines the full range of the region’s offerings. Carvalho comments: “Without St Petersburg on Baltic itineraries, cruiselines are now looking further afield vis a vis itineraries. For us here at CMP, it is a matter of promoting the Baltic through collaboration locally but also more widely with other ports and destinations. As a port we want to evolve from ‘renting a space to dock ships’ to becoming strategic partners. How can we work closer with cruiselines, tourism boards and cities to promote the region differently?” One way of doing this is offering Christmas and winter cruises and a different visitor experience. “As Cruise Europe, we could get together and create a winter cruise brochure (including Christmas) ahead of time to show how we can promote off-season cruising in the Northern Europe region through the different communication channels”. Another idea is to promote the region as also having a wealth of ports/destinations that are ideal for expedition-type calls. “We definitely want to start promoting the region outside of the typical cruise season. During meetings and discussions at Seatrade Med in Malaga, Cruise Baltic in Tallinn and International Cruise Summit in Madrid several cruiselines have communicated that they are now looking into more expedition-type cruising in the Baltic region. This is an interesting evolution from the typical ‘Baltic capitals with a gem of a port added here and there’ type of itineraries.” For Carvalho, this means that there are alternative options for product development and how itineraries are organised in the region, not just the Baltic but also the wider Northern European region. “We have seen how successful Christmas cruises have been this year from passengers posting on social media, feedback from the lines, and the local stakeholders. And I think there is greater opportunity for ports to re-evaluate our relationship with the cities and destinations and re-organise ourselves differently. As a region we should re-think our communication and promotion and give a fresh new meaning to the slogan ‘working together’.”

14/12/2022

Wishing the CE family and our cruiseline colleagues joy this festive season

Chairman Michael McCarthy and managing director Jens Skrede would like to wish you all the warmest of wishes for the festive season and the year to come. We look forward to seeing many of you at the Cruise Europe Conference in Lisbon beginning 28 February. Here we can learn more about this fascinating industry and the important and evolving part we all play in it. We will be in touch nearer the time with more details and also those of our participation at Seatrade Global in Fort Lauderdale 27 to 30 March.

22/11/2022

CRUISE SHIPPING IN HAMBURG: AT 280 CALLS THE 2022 SEASON CLOSES WITH A POSITIVE OUTLOOK

Hamburg, 22 November 2022 – As the 2022 season draws to a close Cruise Gate Hamburg GmbH (CGH) sees the cruise industry in Hamburg moving forward in a positive way. So far, Hamburg has registered 280 calls by 49 different ships from 20 cruise lines, ten maiden calls, one christening and roughly 750,000 passengers as well as 41 calls by river cruise ships. “After two years of pandemic-related restrictions, cruise shipping in Hamburg has made a strong comeback,” comments Simone Maraschi, Managing Director of CGH, on the figures. “At 280 calls the 2022 cruise season has seen the most calls ever at Hamburg, surpassing even pre-pandemic levels (2019: 210 calls). We are very happy about the high demand in cruises departing from Hamburg. For us it is proof that the enormous efforts and the adaptability demonstrated by the entire industry during the COVID-19 pandemic are truly appreciated.” 2023 Outlook - The most beautiful Sea Voyages start at the Gateway to the World The figures for the upcoming year suggest that demand for cruise travel will continue to rise. In 2023 Hamburg is expecting 283 calls and a further 37 calls by river cruise ships. Apart from a wide range of travel destinations and ship types to choose from, cruise fans can look forward to lots of special events. Eight maiden calls are scheduled at Hamburg (among them two ships from new shipping companies, OCEAN ALBATROS of ALBATROS TRAVEL and Explora I of EXPLORA JOURNEYS), Hamburg will celebrate its 834th Port Anniversary from May 5 through 7, 2023 and stage the Hamburg Cruise Days from September 8 through 10, 2023. Hamburg will continue to play a Leading Role in Sustainability When the shore power station at the Altona cruise terminal started operations in 2016 - back then it was the first of its kind in Europe - Hamburg established its reputation as a maritime shore power pioneer. Moreover, Hamburg was the first port in Europe to make the pivotal decision to electrify all permanent terminals by 2040. According to current planning, cruise ships berthing at the Cruise Center Steinwerder can be supplied green shore side power in the second half of 2023, and the facility at the new Cruise Center HafenCity currently under construction is expected to be available in the 2025 season. By continuously expanding its shore power infrastructure Hamburg is strengthening its position as one of Europe’s most sustainable ports. Jens Meier, CEO of the Hamburg Port Authority AöR, says, “Ports play a crucial role in decarbonisation and keeping the air clean. Shore-side electricity enables us to significantly reduce ships’ emissions while they are docking at the Port of Hamburg. By rapidly expanding its shore power facilities, the Port of Hamburg shows its commitment to protecting the environment and takes account of the expectations Hamburg’s citizens have of a city port. We are looking forward to being one of Europe’s first ports to offer both cruise ships and container vessels shore-based power at the berth in 2025.” In the 2022 season 30 ships relied on shore-side electricity supplied by the Altona station. Four vessels carried out integration tests. In 2023 twelve ships are planned to undergo integration tests. After having passed all integration tests, ships can be fully certified to use the shore power station while at berth. Simone Maraschi, “Together with our colleagues at the HPA we are in intensive talks with various cruise lines that have indicated that they will fit their ships with onboard shore power equipment to enable them to rely on shore-side electricity in Hamburg. Every ship that is certified to use the Altona shore power station - and in future Steinwerder and HafenCity - is a further step in the sustainable development of cruise tourism in Hamburg. Ports and cruise lines must combine their efforts to make ports greener and get more ships to use shore power. Increased reliance on shore power in Hamburg may inspire other ports in Europe to follow Hamburg’s lead.” About Cruise Gate Hamburg GmbH Cruise Gate Hamburg GmbH is a subsidiary wholly owned by Hamburg Port Authority AöR. As the operator of Hamburg’s cruise centers Altona, Steinwerder and Baakenhöft, CGH is the single point of contact for all cruise liner companies. CGH strives to provide transparent “one-stop services to the cruise shipping industry” at all of Hamburg’s cruise terminals. Press Contact: Kathrin Schweppe-May - Call: +49 40428475083 - Email: presse@cgh.hamburg.de

21/11/2022

The Port of Bergen helps preserve Bryggen World Heritage site

Port of Bergen and the Bryggen Foundation (Stiftelsen Bryggen) have entered into an agreement on an annual contribution scheme through which the port will help with the conservation of Bryggen, beginning January 2023. Hence the port will contribute NOK2 (€0.19) out of the existing passenger tax for each passenger visiting the city. This will be taken out the existing passenger tax which is connected to the number of passengers visiting Bergen annually. The funds will be managed and allocated by the Foundation. “This is a welcome contribution, which will be earmarked for fire protection and upgrading of infrastructure. There is a pressing need to upgrade the sprinkler system, and it is crucial that work on a comprehensive lighting plan for Bryggen gets underway,” says Bernt-Havard Oyen, director Stiftelsen Bryggen. “We are pleased to see Port of Bergen demonstrating great social responsibility and a commitment to preserve this world heritage site”. For the port, it is important that Bryggen is well preserved and looked after. “This heritage site is Bergen’s most visited attraction, and is subjected to considerable wear from being explored by several hundred thousand cruise tourists every year,” explains Michal Forland, ceo Port of Bergen. The port and foundation had agreed this contribution in 2019 but the implementation of the scheme had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Calls to Bergen in 2019 numbered 329 bringing 575,000 passengers. This year there are 290 and 400,000 respectively. Next year will see an increase over pre-pandemic levels, with 351 calls and 724,000 passengers scheduled.

21/11/2022

HaminaKotka is western Europe’s easternmost cruise port

HaminaKotka first received cruise calls in 2017, having received EU funding to investigate the possibility of becoming a cruise destination a few years earlier. After three years of a handful of calls, it was due to receive 28 in 2021 but Covid-19 prevented the Finnish port’s first big season. Despite the upheaval, this year saw 19 calls and approximately 10,000 passengers visiting HaminaKotka. In 2011 the ports of Hamina and Kotka joined together with the shares owned 40%/60% respectively by each town. Being an important hub in the Baltic region, its ‘universal’ cargo business (18.1 million tonnes in 2019) has helped to weather the storm caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Cruise may account for only less than one percent of the total business but the management of Port of HaminaKotka, and the towns of Hamina and Kotka, are in favour of developing the cruise business together. This summer additional port reception facilities were built in Kotka and a small terminal constructed on the site of a disused warehouse. In addition the town of Kotka is building a large events centre and university campus for 3,000 and a park boulevard with cafes and restaurants, which will be partly completed next summer and the remainder by summer 2024. Cruiseships can call in three port areas: Kantasatama Kotka town centre which can take ships up to 220m in length and where the safe clearance depth is between 8.9 and 10.8m; Kotka Mussalo in the western part of the town which has a 500m long berth intended for cruise with a safe clearance depth of 11.5 to 13.7m; and Hamina which has a berth of 609m and safe clearance depth of 11.2-13.2m. The former is dedicated to cruiseships, the latter two also take cargo ships. The distance between the two towns is 25km on land and 1.5 hours by sea. The same land programmes can be taken from both Kotka and Hamina. This year the calls were split fairly evenly across the berths with 42% of passengers in Hamina and 58% in Kotka. Of these the majority were from the USA and Canada, followed by the UK and Germany. Petra Cranston, project manager cruise business Port of HaminaKotka, was delighted to see significant numbers arriving from the Middle and Far East also. Passenger feedback was positive. “Everyone was happy. We had no complaints. We are such tiny towns that, wherever they go, they get personal service and an authentic feeling,” comments Cranston. About 40% of passengers took tours and 60% went independently. Cranston pointed out that even though HaminaKotka is close to the Russian border, passengers were happy not to have cancelled their cruises and also took taxis and tours to discover more about the history between the two countries. At present, the port is working with Tallinn and Helsinki on a joint marketing message to encourage cruiselines to sail between the three destinations. The 200nm sailing triangle could be interesting both for itinerary planners and yield management executives, enabling more time in the destination and slow steaming. HaminaKotka can handle about 4,000 passengers a day. It also has a dedicated programme for the crew. Helsinki and Lappeenranta airport are within 80 minutes of the port, which can handle smaller ships on turnaround but had inquiries for the larger ships prior to the war. Passengers can enjoy in the Hamina and Kotka areas the local parks on Kotka island, visit the archipelago, marshland and forest, go hiking, river rafting and take in the local history and culture. Next year 19 calls are booked to date.

21/11/2022

Santander invests and expands its cruise facilities

As the Port of Santander celebrates 150 years, it looks to a new future having invested millions in upgrading and expanding its facilities. In 2021 the Passenger Terminal was refurbished at a cost of more than €1 million to improve the passenger experience. This included altering the way the space is used and opening up the seaside view. For 2023, further improvements are on the agenda. A new exhibition room and cafeteria and a larger Tourism Office will be opened within the terminal prior to the start of the cruise season in April. With €30 million-plus being spent on moving the ferry terminal to a newly-built quay of 375m in length and 8m depth, together with floating ramp and LNG bunkering station, Brittany Ferries will be moving its operation away from the above Passenger Terminal, hence freeing it up almost exclusively for cruise calls. An additional benefit will be that cruiseships will also be able to call the ferry terminal on no-ferry days. LNG will be provided under an administrative concession granted to a consortium consisting of representatives from the Port of Santander and Repsol LNG Holding, ESK and Enagas. Sophie Lanos, cruise manager Port of Santander, says: “From next year all cruise vessels are going to call in the city centre. This is a unique offer in the North of Spain and it is especially interesting for the luxury ships.”  Next year 22 calls are expected compared to 21 this year which matches the record at the port in 2019 before Covid struck. This year Oceania Cruises called for the first time and next Swan Hellenic arrives as a newcomer. Lanos adds that onshore power installation is under study for several installations in the port, including cruise traffic.

21/11/2022

Cromarty Firth/Invergordon calls hit a new record

A record number of cruiseships visited the Port of Cromarty Firth in the Scottish Highlands this year, as the industry recovered rapidly in the wake of Covid-19. Furthermore the Trust Port is forecasting further increases next year, bringing an estimated £20 million (€22.8 million) boost to the region’s economy. At 109, the number of calls at Invergordon, in Easter Ross, in 2022 was five more than in the last full pre-pandemic season, in 2019. The season started in April, with the arrival of the Viking Venus, one of 21 vessels that made maiden calls to the port. The final visitor to the Cromarty Firth was the Norwegian Dawn in October. Allison McGuire, the port’s cruise manager, says: “After all the challenges since the outset of the Covid pandemic, the cruise industry in Scotland has certainly bounced back this year. “We were expecting a gradual return to pre-2019 figures, but we are delighted that was not the case and 2022 has proved to be another record-breaking year in terms of vessel visits for the Port of Cromarty Firth.” With liners operating at reduced capacity throughout the period, the total number of passengers arriving at the port was just under 142,000, compared to 166,000 three years ago. The visits by the vessels and associated tours to Inverness and tourist attractions throughout the region are estimated to have contributed around £15 million to the wider Highland economy this year. “Initially, the cruiseships calling at Invergordon and other ports were operating at 60-70% capacity. However, towards the end of the season we saw an increase in the number of passengers arriving, with some vessels reaching up to 95% capacity,” explains McGuire. “Next year, we are expecting another record-breaking season, with a large increase in cruise calls and passenger numbers. This will increase the local spend and contribute in excess of £20 million to the wider Highland economy.” McGuire added that, in common with the tourism and hospitality industry throughout the Highlands and elsewhere, staffing levels had presented challenges this year, with a shortage of coach drivers at times effecting the tours that could be offered.

21/11/2022

Shore excursions are ramped up in Hardangerfjord

Salmon Eye has been launched in Rosendal. Located in the waters just outside the village, it is a forum to inspire and inform the world on how to better feed the planet with sustainable seafood. The project was initiated by Eide Fjordbruk, the world’s first and only CarbonNeutral certified salmon producer. Passengers will be transported the short distance to the floating art installation by electrical boats, each with a capacity for 24. Inside is an exhibition showing the story of Norwegian fish farming. In addition the Norwegian Nature Center is producing a new panorama film which will be premiered on April 1 2023 on one of Europe’s largest panoramic screens, 21m long and 4m high in a seamless image with a 225 degree viewing angle. A popular destination for passengers, it is only 10 minutes by bus from Eidfjord.

21/11/2022

Luis de Carvalho appointed commercial cruise director CMP

Luis de Carvalho joined Copenhagen Malmo Port (CMP) as commercial cruise director on November 1. CMP operates in Copenhagen, Malmo and Visby welcoming about 500 calls and one million passengers yearly. It is well underway to become CO2 neutral by 2025. “We continuously strive to improve and to be a leader within cruise, which also means reducing environmental impacts, being closer to our customs, strengthening collaboration with the destinations and pushing for an even better guest experience,” says Barbra School Agersnap, ceo CMP. “Luis’ skills and background make him very suitable to propel us forward as we continue to develop the cruise business with great ambitions,” she adds. Carvalho joins from Bermello Ajamil & Partners where he has been managing the European division.

21/11/2022

Excursions UK restarts with a huge increase in business

Everyone likes a good news story and Excursions UK has one. From 450 port calls in 2019 to 750 this year, the UK shore excursion provider has witnessed a massive restart post Covid-19. Managing director Rupert Woodard says: “It’s been a hugely busy year. It just bounced back. The blessing is that our whole team is back and we are now recruiting extra staff for next year.” The ability to work from home means Excursions UK can have people on the ground in many locations throughout the UK from Kirkwall to East Sussex with the head office being in Swindon. The reality is that the past couple of years have been extremely difficult to navigate as the industry stuttered to a restart. Staff on furlough were unable to pitch in unless they were ‘unfurloughed’, which caused all sorts of difficulties when cruiselines were forced to cancel itineraries as another wave hit. Fortunately for all concerned, the return came before the business hit the rocks. Woodard explains that his decision to concentrate on small, niche, luxury and expedition ships back in 2008 - prior to the sector taking off in more recent years - turned out to be a wise one. Supply chain issues have meant the team had “to do a lot of lateral thinking,” explains Woodard. “The standout issue that we experienced in UK was with visitor attractions. Some have not yet reopened and those that have are not taking group bookings any more, for example to visit Windsor Castle bookings have to be made online. We have to pass the cost on to the cruiselines which are not keen to take the risk and hence cancel the tour.” In addition some attractions are so busy that they no longer need to book in groups. Hence Excursions UK “had to do a lot of reinventing and create some new tours.” With the UK the first to open to cruises, Excursions UK has seen calls rise dramatically from clients such as Noble Caledonia and Hurtigruten. “We have also seen quite an uplift for next year as well and again I suspect that is partly redeployment,” says Woodard. The company’s client with the largest ships is Viking Cruises, which was the first to start cruising down the English coast post pandemic on May 24. Creative thinking was needed to create tours of no more than 90 minutes as passengers had to remain in bubbles in buses, and hence were unable to take comfort breaks outside of the ship. Despite the constraints, Woodard looks back on it as “quite a nice experience,” saying there was a lot of understanding from cruiselines and passengers. “Everyone involved was happy”. Looking ahead, he says: “The company is growing nicely. We have about 20 lines we love working with. We have new product and new things coming next year. Cruiselines are coming back and newbuilds too. We have become a bit of a magnet for the smaller ships. We are not distracted by volume.” Sustainability is high on the company’s agenda having introduced beach clean tours before the trend set in. Now everything it does is audited by Travelife, which encompasses not just the tours themselves but office protocols for the employees both in the office and at home. Vital to the success of any tour is the engagement of the local community. Woodard cites the example of Carol’s ponies in the Shetland. When passengers stop to pet them, they can also make a donation. The first year there was enough to buy an MRI scanning machine for the local hospital, the second, during Covid, an osteopathic bed and this year … well let’s see.

10/11/2022

Study Finds Tallinn Old City Harbour's Air Quality in Accordance with requirements. Cruise ships do not individually increase pollution levels.

This summer, the Estonian Environmental Research Centre conducted ambient air quality measurements in Tallinn Old City Harbour, confirming that the Port of Tallinn has effectively mitigated the risks of air pollution from ships and cars. None of the measured pollutants exceeded the limit values. Analyses also showed that visits by cruise ships do not individually increase pollution levels. Continuous air quality monitoring between 15 July and 1 August assessed the air pollution situation at the port in terms of changes in the air emission while ships are in port, also at the entry and exit of ships and the impact of cars entering the port area. During the monitoring, the Estonian Environmental Research Centre (EKUK) measured the concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, fine particles, and black carbon in the air. A total of 278 ships visited Old City Harbour during the measurement period. According to Ellen Kaasik, Environmental Manager of the Port of Tallinn, the port and shipping companies have consistently contributed to improving air quality, which has resulted in successfully keeping pollutant levels below the limit values. "The Port of Tallinn wants the port area to be an attractive place to spend time, both for city residents and tourists. Therefore, air quality monitoring and surveillance is an important priority for us, and to ensure this, we have, among other things, introduced automatic mooring equipment and provided shore power for vessels moored in the port. These measures are directly linked to the need for ships to use fewer engines at the shore, thereby reducing emissions to the atmosphere," said Kaasik. To assess the potential impact of ships on pollutant concentrations, a total of 6 episodes were selected for further analysis. This included looking at simultaneous activities in the port. The study showed that, although the limit values were not exceeded in any of the episodes, the pollutant concentrations were affected by both ships in the port and other traffic in the port area, such as cars and trucks waiting to board the ship. An analysis by the Estonian Environmental Research Centre, which carried out the measurements, showed that the air quality in the Old City Harbour was also affected by general air pollution. This was confirmed by situations where pollutant levels were above average during periods when there was no simultaneous activity in the port. In addition, separate analyses carried out during the study showed that cruise ships do not individually increase pollution levels. A total of 24 cruise ships visited the Old City Harbour during the measurement period. The Port of Tallinn's environmental policy is to minimise its operations' ecological footprint and act environmentally friendly to prevent pollution. The Port of Tallinn is also a member of EcoPorts, a prestigious European port environmental initiative, which shows that the environmental performance of the Port of Tallinn meets international requirements. The company assesses the ecological aspects of its operations to minimise their impact on the environment. The Port of Tallinn has contributed to reducing air pollution and has invested in onshore power connection for ferries on five quays, installed automatic mooring equipment on three quays, created new light traffic routes and developed new green areas in the port area. The study is available in Estonian. Please turn to s.arro@ts.ee (Sirle Arro) for more information.

08/11/2022

Carnival Celebration at the Port of A Coruña

The Port of A Coruña is delighted to welcome today Carnival Cruise Line’s newest cruise ship, "Carnival Celebration", with her very first passengers and crew members on her maiden voyage to Miami. The ship’s arrival in A Coruña was celebrated with the traditional plaque ceremony on board the vessel, which was berthed at the Trasatlanticos pier, located in the city center. Local authorities, port agent, media could enjoy a ship tour and see the amazing roller coaster on deck 16. "AidaSol" berthed at the neighbour Calvo Solteo Pier was the other visitor today at port.