News Archive

30/11/2023

Trondheim applies for OPS funding as it records the best season yet

Trondheim is due to receive 108 calls and about 177,000 passengers this year, with just one still to come on December 6. Of the total, two calls were made to Hitra, which became part of the port on January 1 2023, and three to Froya. This year the port invested in new polyurethane fenders and a steel plate upgrade to support these Yokohama-fenders. “Our new fenders do not leave any stains on the ships’ side of the cruiseships and enables for smoother mooring alongside. Thereby ships do not need to paint as often and save both the environment and workload,” explains Maria Kuhnl Undheim, marketing manager cruise Trondheim Port Authority. The authority is applying for funding to install onshore power (OPS) at its main cruise quay. At present it can offer shore power on the smaller quay to Hurtigruten Expeditions and Mystic Cruises, since they have vessels using 50 Hz frequency. For example, Otto Sverdrup plugged in 10 times this season and 11 times in 2022.   Once the results of the application are known, building can begin with the earliest operation date being 2026. Given the depth and length of the main cruise quay, all of the vessels calling today could potentially use the future facility. Both 50HZ and 60Hz will be available. The plan is to be able to provide the ships with up to 12mW.     A new excursion manual will be ready by the end of this year. Highlights include new full-day tours created outside of Trondheim, as well as the return of a very popular home visit. “Visit Bjorn is a culinary and entertaining delight,” says Kuhnl Undheim.   In addition Trondheim is to host two major events in the future: 2024 Host of Cooking Championship Bocuse D’or (the city was awarded the title of European Region of Gastronomy in 2022) and 2025 host of FIS World Ski Championship.

30/11/2023

Passengers to Nordfjordeid are enjoying a new attraction

The Port of Nordfjordeid has hosted 72 calls and 220,000 passengers this year, achieving a new record for the emerging cruise port.  The standout attraction of the season, bringing in 50,000 visitors - about 70% of whom were cruise passengers - is the Sagastad Vikingsenter, which was opened in May 2019 during the pandemic. At its centre is the Myklebustship, a Viking relic, complemented by film presentations, immersive VR experiences, and a digital exhibition displaying Viking-era archaeological finds. The introduction of audio guides in English, French, German, Spanish, and Mandarin, makes it even more appealing to an international audience.   The centre, which can host 1,500 visitors on one day, aligns its operational hours with cruiseship schedules and is just 10 minutes walk from the pier. Passengers have the option to purchase tickets onboard, book guided town tours, or buy tickets at the entrance. Next year the port is expecting 70 calls and about 260,200 passengers.

30/11/2023

Visby expands its artisanal quayside presence

Visby plans to introduce a larger artisan-at-work presence next season and is actively collaborating with local producers to make this happen. “Anything from real stone-wear (with the grinding taking place inside the cruise terminal) to a jolly good knit-along will be available next season. And for those of the more competitive kind, let us reveal that we are looking to re-introduce the ancient game of Varpa [similar to boules but with a flat and heavy object called a varpa],” explains Anna Sylvan, cruise manager Visby, Copenhagen Malmo Port. Overstekvarn and iVisby printshop will return. The former is an artisanal producer of foods primarily based on locally-sourced ingredients. “This family-run business is Europe’s northern most chilli farm, producing a variety of chilli products, as well as traditional Gotland and Swedish condiments including mustards, jams and dressings,” says Sylvan. “Gary and Anna Mathers [pictured] will continue to treat us with local heat,” she adds. iVisby has started producing fridge magnets from recycled material as an additional offering. The port awaits two Christmas calls from Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ Hanseatic Nature on December 16 and 23, bringing the total this year to 102 calls. Next year 115 calls are scheduled, mostly between April and October but again with two in December.

21/11/2023

Urban artwork and a book celebrating the 136th Port of Lisbon anniversary

As part of the 136th anniversary celebrations the Port of Lisbon presented the city with a mural artwork from the Portuguese artist Alexandre Farto, aka Vhils,and a book edited by the Portuguese journalist Ferreira Fernandes, about the Second World War refugees in the mid-1940s, and how Lisbon and the port were crucial for them. The artwork produced by Vhils was inspired by the photograph Roger Kahan, a French Jewish refugee himself who used the port of Lisbon as a gateway to escape from the war. Vhils' art intervention recreated the photograph of a Jewish refugee next to a mailbox, at Gare Marítima da Rocha Conde de Óbidos, before embarking on a transatlantic voyage. The artwork can be found exactly next to this same post box, which still exists today. The photograph was initially reminded in some journalistic articles by Ferreira Fernandes and inspired him to write the book “O Cais da Europa, Roger Kahan, refugiado, fotógrafo – Lisboa, 1940”. This book was launched on October 31st, precisely in Gare Marítima da Rocha Conde de Óbidos. About Vhils - Portuguese artist Alexandre Farto (b. 1987) has been interacting visually with the urban environment under the name of Vhils since his days as a prolific graffiti writer in the early-to-mid 2000s. His groundbreaking bas-relief carving technique – which forms the basis of the Scratching the Surface project and was first presented to the public at the VSP group exhibition in Lisbon in 2007 and at the Cans Festival in London the following year –, has been hailed as one of the most compelling approaches to art created in the streets in the last decade. For more information - https://vhils.com/about/

17/11/2023

Bolette plaque exchange

The Port of Santander Chairman, César Díaz with the Captain of the Bolette (Fred Olsen). Last friday, November 17th 2023, we welcomed our last cruise call of the year: Bolette Her 1,103 cruisers called on a bright and sunny day in Santander from 9am to 6pm. Most of them decided to go on excursion to Santoña and Castro Urdiales, Comillas and Soplao Cave, Santander and Magdalena Palace or Santander and a taste of local Gastronomy. They had also the chance to visit the shopping area of Santander as the Passenger Terminal is right in Santander city centre.

27/10/2023

Port of Harstad

25/10/2023

Le Champlain takes on biodiesel in Cherbourg

During a technical stop in Cherbourg on September 21, Ponant’s Le Champlain took on biodiesel B100, which is 100% produced from cooking oils collected from the food industry, catering outlets and catering trades in France. Carried out with Altens, a French supplier of alternative non-fossil fuels for the transport sector, the trial is the first in France and underlines PONANT’s commitment to reducing its CO2 emissions by 30% per navigation day by 2030. Le Champlain is fitted with Wartsila diesel engines and B100 is totally compatible as a drop-in fuel to meet targets. With CO2 emissions 90% lower than fossil fuels, it exceeds European requirements for 2035. The whole B100 biofuel production sector is certified by ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification), an international standard recognised by the European Union and which also guarantees traceability of raw materials. “This first marine biofuel test is part of our roadmap as their carbon footprint is infinitely lower than conventional fuels, with a 90% reduction of CO2 emissions. They are produced from used cooking oils, can be incorporated directly into engines and are available now. “We want to help demonstrate that it is a credible alternative that can contribute to decarbonising Ponant’s fleet and the entire maritime industry. These tests will help fine tune technical parameters and the different emissions and composition of gas associated with using this type of biofuel,” explains Mathieu Petiteau, newbuilding and R&D director at Ponant. The B100 Le Champlain is bunkering is produced in France from cooking oils collected in France and distributed by Altens. In compliance with legislation, the first bunkering will be accompanied by a series of tests to ensure in particular that NOx emissions remain compliant with regulatory specifications. SOx, particulates and black carbon emissions will also be measured. Once this trial stage has been completed, Ponant plans to roll out its use to the rest of its fleet, subject to supply capacities.

25/10/2023

Maraschi takes part in Green Destinations 2023 in Tallinn

Simone Maraschi, managing director Cruise Gate Hamburg, was invited to participate in a discussion on the topic of sustainable maritime tourism in the Baltic, as part of the Green Destinations 2023 Estonia global conference held in Tallinn in October.  He commented: “Developing sustainable growth strategies has become a necessity for any destination. The energy transition presents many challenges but also opportunities. In this context, what tools are available to ports and destinations for a sustainable approach to cruise tourism were discussed.”

25/10/2023

Foyle reports a banner year

Foyle Port has had a record year for cruise operations, welcoming 18 ships and over 16,000 passengers and crew. The majority of the passengers visiting the region were from the US (51%), followed by the UK (20%), France (14%), Canada (5%) and Germany (5%).   Harbour master and operations director of Foyle Port, Bill McCann, said: “We are thrilled to have welcomed some of the most prestigious cruiselines in the world, including Azamara Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Silversea Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.   “This year, the port received maiden calls from eight ships, including newbuild, Explora I, from MSC Group’s new luxury cruise brand, Explora Journeys, and the newly-refurbished Renaissance from new French cruiseline, Compagnie Francaise de Croisieres; both ships made a historic first-time call to the island of Ireland with Foyle Port.”   The Port in Derry-Londonderry provides an unrivalled offering allowing access into the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland with just one visit. With dramatic coastlines, remote countryside and sandy beaches, coupled with a historic city offering award-winning museums and a vibrant culture, there is much to offer in one destination for cruise visitors. “It’s easy to see why the region has seen a rise in demand and looks ahead to a positive 2024 cruise season,” adds McCann.

25/10/2023

CE chairman moderates sessions at GreenPort Congress & Cruise in Lisbon

The Port of Lisbon hosted the 18th edition of GreenPort Congress & Cruise from October 18 to 20. Cruise Europe (CE) chairman Captain Michael McCarthy was honoured to moderate two of the sessions: Cruise Infrastructure Development and Shore Power.   In the first session, Duarte Morais Cabral, general manager Lisbon Cruise Port, presented ‘Going Green: How can a Cruise Terminal be more sustainable’. He highlighted the importance of terminals playing an important role within the community by implementing eco-friendly practices like using renewable energy sources, optimising waste management, promoting local and sustainable tourism, and adopting technologies to reduce emissions and environmental impact.   Minas Papadakis, CEO, Heraklion Port Authority outlined the major way that ports can contribute to reducing shipping’s emissions. He explained how the administration of Heraklion Port has set the green transition as its top priority, and that the European programme - Electriport - was the result of its efforts towards a greener and sustainable port.   He was followed by Armando Santos, global partner-client manager of Quadrant, who spoke about the targets for reducing the carbon footprint of the port operation and its impact on Lisbon City and the implementation of OPS systems on the Cruise and Cargo Terminals of the Lisbon Port Oriental area.   Finally Stephen Xuereb, COO, Global Ports Holding outlined the company’s remarkable expansion in transforming cruise infrastructure and its commitment to developing future-ready ports and shaping the cruise infrastructure of tomorrow.   To commence the session on onshore power, Olivier Teramo, key accounts manager, head of projects, ABB Global, presented on the use of renewable energy sources at ports supporting the shore connection. He outlined how different shore connection applications will ultimately play a big role in decarbonising the marine and ports industries. He presented to the audience a case example of Port of Toulon, one of ABB’s project deliveries, which is utilising energy storage as part of shore connection.   Posing the question ‘What kind of options do ports have in their carbon neutrality journey?’, Laurent Dupuis, VP global product manager ports & maritime, Cavotec, outlined his role in piloting the business strategy and the product roadmap for the company’s shore power, and e-vessels charging solutions. He compared the emissions reduction potential of different solutions for several ports and terminal types (cruise, ferries, container) to shed some light on how ports can create the best journey towards carbon neutrality.   Michaela O’Donohoe who leads business development for Microgrid Solutions business at GE Vernova, explored the reliability aspects of large power converter (range between 5MVA and 20MVA), based on more than 30 years of return of experience on critical electrical systems.   As head of sales at PowerCon, Jacob Bjarkam is part of his company’s green transition towards a better future which enables ships to eliminate all emissions when in port. He outlined his role in building an entire industry from the ground up, explaining that when PowerCon first started working with shore power, there was great scepticism from both ports and shipping companies. Today, this scepticism has turned into a unified maritime ambition to ensure a sustainable future, where shore power plays a central role. He outlined how fortunate he has been to be part of many successful shore power projects in ports such as Kristiansand, Southampton, Barcelona, Hamburg, Oslo and Miami.   McCarthy says: “As chairman of Cruise Europe, I found the two sessions to be most informative and very interesting to moderate. I was left with the following takeaways:   When considering OPS, ports need to look at the long-term benefits model combining CAPEX and OPEX over a very long potential profitability rate; the long-term cost of power generated on board versus shore power; the debate over ‘future vessels with zero carbon fuels versus OPS’ when considering the source of power; the ‘Who Pays’ principal; building sub-stations on quays; the model of ‘Who provides the power to the ship… the port or the generating company?’; the potential of a subsidised system; the diversity of ships and the power requirements across the whole shipping sector; and the TEN-T [Trans-European Transport Network] targets for shoreside electricity supply in maritime ports.” And last but not least, a very bold statement of ambition from Papadakis: “ Our mission is no emissions”.

25/10/2023

Bilbao hosts cruiseline executives following a busy September

The Bilbao Port Authority was promoting the Basque Country at Seatrade Europe in Hamburg in September. In a year has been a good one both for tourism generally in the Basque Country and specifically for tourists visiting by sea, September saw more cruiseships stopping over at the Port of Bilbao than ever before in one month. Twenty of the 80 cruiseships docking at the Getxo facilities in 2023 were scheduled to arrive in September. The port authority states that this confirms the interest that Bizkaia and the Basque Country now have for cruise tourism and the excellent opinion held by the different companies of the facilities and services offered by the port, both for the ships and the passengers. In October, representatives of Aboard the World, Azamara and Windstar paid a visit to the Port Authority of Bilbao, to view the facilities and services offered and the passenger terminal in Getxo, as well as to visit the attractions of Getxo/Bilbao/Bizkaia as a tourist destination. The visit was organised by the Spanish Tourist Office in Miami, in collaboration with Bilbao Turismo and Turismo Getxo.

11/10/2023

PORTO CRUISE TERMINAL HOSTED CLIA 'DESTINATION SHOWCASE' 2023

CLIA ‘Destination Showcase’ event successfully concludes in Porto Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has completed a three-day ‘Destination Showcase’ event in Porto, which was attended by over 100 delegates from across Europe. It featured sessions with ocean and river cruise destination experts and a river cruise tour sailing beneath the six bridges and along the banks of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. Porto Cruise Terminal hosted the Evening Dinner and the Infante D. Henrique Auditorium was chosen for the Conference Business Sessions and the Networking Trade Fair. Also at the Port of Leixões, delegates had the opportunity to get in touch with the Full Mission Bridge Simulator, country’s largest and most advanced maritime training facility. Attracting this event to Porto was only possible with the commitment of the Port Authority of Douro, Leixões and Viana do Castelo, Turismo Porto e Norte and Turismo de Portugal. The President of the Port Authority, João Pedro Neves, stressed the importance of this event "as a moment of excellence for the promotion of the Porto Cruise Terminal and cruise activity in the Port of Leixões, as well as for the Porto & North of Portugal Destination". During the event, delegates had the opportunity to join local tours and excursions, with options including 'Historic and Modern Porto' or a Vinho Verde tasting experience. A trade fair and two hosted dinners were also held, at both the Porto Cruise Terminal and World of Wine. Meanwhile, travel agents were hosted for lunches at local restaurants, to continue the immersive destination experience. In addition, attendees could visit and tour either an ocean cruise or river cruise ship, highlighting Porto as a gateway for both options. Delegates on the ocean experience boarded the ultra-luxury Seabourn Ovation docked at the Porto Cruise Terminal, while river was on both the Emerald Cruises-operated Emerald Radiance and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises-operated S.S. Sao Gabriel at Douro River. Andy Harmer, CLIA UK & Ireland managing director, said: “Porto is a highlight of many ocean and river cruise holidays, so was the perfect location for this hugely-important event in the industry calendar. The first-hand knowledge of all delegates, including travel agents, means they will now be even better-served to recommend and sell cruise holidays and destinations. Many thanks to all attendees, as well as everyone in Porto for giving us such a warm welcome”. The Showcase was sponsored by Visit Porto & North Portugal, Porto Cruise Terminal (Port of Leixões), Area Metropolitana do Porto and Mail Metro Media, in collaboration with TAP Air Portugal.

11/10/2023

Foyle Port Welcomes Lough Foyle's Biggest Ever Ship

The Norwegian Star elegantly sailed into Lough Foyle this morning at 7am and anchored just off Greencastle. At 91,740 gross tonnage and 296m she is the biggest ever ship to anchor in the Lough. The arrival of the impressive ship marks the last of the 2023 cruise season for Foyle Port. Her 3,200 guests and crew are on a 10-day voyage around Ireland from Southampton calling at Glengarriff, Cork, Waterford, Dún Laoghaire, Belfast, Killybegs and Greencastle. The Port provides a starting point for exploring some of Ireland’s and Northern Ireland’s most magnificent areas of outstanding natural beauty and access to the historic city of Derry-Londonderry. Following a short tender ride to shore, guests enjoyed excursions to the Ulster American Folk Park, Giant’s Causeway & Dunluce Castle, Inishowen Peninsula & Doagh Famine Village, Glenveagh National Park and tours of Derry. Independent guests enjoyed exploring the local area of Greencastle. To mark the ship’s debut call a traditional plaque exchange took place onboard between the ship’s Staff Captain Divorce Pulitika and General Manager Tony Winkler and representatives from Foyle Port, Fáilte Ireland and the Mayor’s Office. Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Patricia Logue said she was delighted to welcome passengers from the Norwegian Star to the North West region. She added, “I hope the visit is a unique and enjoyable experience for the passengers and crew, many of whom will be visiting for the first time. It’s a great opportunity for us to showcase the entire region’s natural unspoiled beauty and hope that the passengers will return home with fond memories of their visit with the hopes of returning again. “ The arrival of Norwegian Star marks the end of a record 2023 cruise season for Foyle Port as it welcomed 18 ships and over 16,000 passengers and crew.

09/10/2023

Lerwick's cruise season ends with record input to marine tourism

Yachting and Tall Ships mean triple contribution to Shetland economy. Lerwick Harbour has completed its most successful cruise season yet, with the sector’s record book at the Shetland port rewritten. The 2023 cruise programme closed on Wednesday 27 September with the arrival of AIDA Cruise Lines AIDAsol, the 129th and final vessel of the season, a new high for the Shetland port. With 2,142 passengers on board, AIDAsol arrived from Bergen, Norway, en route to Invergordon and anchored at the inner harbour. The 253 metre, 71,304 gross tonne AIDAsol brought the total number of passengers to a new annual high at around 124,000. There were 19 maiden calls, the most yet in a single season. New operators – Explora Journeys and Swan Hellenic – were a feature of the year – alongside hosting cruise ships during The Tall Ships Races. The tonnage of cruise shipping since the season opened in mid-April was a new record at 5.8M gross tonnes. Lerwick Port Authority Cruise & Marketing Manager, Melanie Henderson, said: “The successful performance of our marine tourism sector on three overlapping fronts has made it a year like no other. “The Shetland supply chain, the islanders with their warm welcome, stakeholders and our staff deserve the highest praise for their efforts. “The favourable impression made on cruise operators means there are already 160 vessels booked for 2024, with the schedule yet to be finalised, and another busy yachting season is anticipated as we continue to develop marine tourism.” This year has also seen the highest number of yachts in a season, with 594 arriving so far since March, including the 34th Bergen-Shetland Race. This was a 15% increase compared to pre-covid levels, reflecting the popularity of Lerwick as a gateway to Shetland’s many attractions. A four-day visit by 37 vessels participating in the spectacular, international Tall Ships Races was an outstanding highlight of the tourist season. The third-time event at Lerwick, with quayside entertainment, attracted around 40,000 spectators across the four days. Tall Ships and sail training vessels visiting Lerwick this year total 69, including 15 first-time visitors.

27/09/2023

Michael McCarthy joins headline session at Seatrade Europe

Cruise Europe chair Michael McCarthy took part in the state of the European industry session at Seatrade Europe in early September alongside Felix Eichhorn president AIDA Cruises, Herve Gastinel  ceo Ponant, Wybcke Meier ceo TUI Cruises and Marie-Caroline Laurent director general CLIA Europe with Mary Bond as moderator. Discussions ranged from onshore power infrastructure and regulations to looking for new destinations to changing the way cruise interacts with local communities. One topic highlighted by McCarthy was the disproportionate amount of bad press received by the cruise industry compared to cargo, and the need to be ready to counter unfounded and negative stories. “We have a huge piece of work to do together to get a proper message out. We need a contingency plan and have statements ready that we can release in the event of unfair press reports, for example recently in Amsterdam.” On behalf of Cruise Europe members, he asked for more and accurate data to be made available by the cruiselines in this respect, whilst acknowledging that the CLIA ‘tool kit’ is a good first step.  In terms of onshore power he noted that supplying a ship with 12mW for a long period of time may not be feasible in many ports due to grid connection and that the costs of supplying OPS can be three times higher than from onboard generated power. He again asked for more information from the industry to assist ports in being realistic about what is, and what is not, feasible in terms of building suitable infrastructure as well as the regulatory “sustainability” framework that changes from country to country.

27/09/2023

CE members were centre stage during environmental sessions

Cruise Gate Hamburg had a strong presence at Seatrade Europe, with Tine Oelmann-Scheel and Simone Tommaso Maraschi taking part in three panels “Discussions on Infrastructure for successful shore excursions“ and “The future of environmental impact assessment in port operations“ as well as “Shore power 101: empowering ports for a sustainable future“, respectively.   In his first session, Maraschi and Jon Olav Stedje (Port of Flam and EPI Ambassador) described the ESI (Environmental Ship Index) and EPI (Environmental Port Index)  systems, their functionality and the positive impact of using them.  Nikos Mertzanidis, director of European Government Affairs CLIA moderated.   When it comes to sustainability, the availability of data is crucial. But it is also one of the biggest challenges for ports. Ports play an important role in the decarbonisation process, so they need to be proactive and not wait for regulation.  Ports and ship owners need data to understand emissions trends in order to optimise their fleets and operations. Furthermore, concrete and tangible data is essential to communicate with the community, stakeholders and local politicians.   Stedje comments: “The EPI is a necessary and crucial tool to collect essential data in a transparent way. It is a tool designed and used by port authorities and maritime administrations and has become the standard tool used by many ports around the world to reward and incentivise ship owners/operators for environmentally friendly behaviour that exceeds IMO emission standards. It provides an incentive for positive change and recognises those who excel in sustainability practices.”   Since its introduction in 2011, the Hamburg Port Authority has applied the ESI as a rebate component of the port fee and it is now active in the development of a further module the ESI @ Berth. A pilot phase has started this summer and will continue during 2024. During this phase shipowners will be able to share their dynamic data after each call. Starting from 1 January 2025, the ESI @ Berth will go live.
  
In the second session, Morten Kusk  from the Port of Aarhus joined Maraschi and Minas Papadakis from the Port of Heraklion and Levan Chikviladze from ShoreLink in discussing the importance of investing in shore power, sharing in success stories and addressing the challenges faced by pioneers in implementing shore power across Europe. The session mainly dealt with the commercial side of the issue, ie how to sell shore power. The composition of the panel was interesting in that it covered both the port side and the service provider side (with Hamburg as a pioneer in shore power, the port of Heraklion aiming to become the first Greek port to apply fully integrated electrification services to any type of vessel, and Aarhus as the first port in Denmark where ships can take shore power as of this year). Shore Link has provided a good insight from the service provider side.

27/09/2023

Collaboration through crisis session

The eastern Baltic has had a tough time since Russia invaded Ukraine but, inevitably, there have been winners elsewhere not least Norway and Iceland. In a session moderated by Luis de Carvalho from Copenhagen Malmo Port/CMP (also managing the port of Visby), delegates heard differing views from Marcus Puttich from TUI Cruises, Martin Lister from Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Chris Martin from Holland America Line and Louise Rossell from Cruise Baltic.   Martin and Lister suggested that rebranding the region would be helpful for the American market which has struggled to maintain a presence in east. Martin likened the loss of St Petersburg from the Baltic itineraries to that of having a McDonalds without a big Mac and suggested exploring other menu options. “We need to work together to market it differently. I know there are a lot of destinations worth visiting but we have to find a way to get people want to visit. You need to help us.”   In this respect Rossell pointed out that Cruise Baltic is visiting cruiseline sales teams to explain what there is to see as well as hosting them on fam trips. Representing a cruise line that caters primarily for the North American market Chris welcomes this “hands-on” approach as that market can benefit from more education about what to see and do in the region.   Over at TUI the story is different with capacity reaching 106% across the fleet albeit with some itinerary adjustments in the Baltic. Puttich pointed out that methanol-ready Mein Schiff 7 will be sailing out of two German homeports to the Baltic when she comes out in 2024.   All three executives agreed that the best approach from destinations is to ask what the cruiselines require from them and then offer to help achieve that, recognising that one size does not fit all when it comes to all the different brands. Puttich pointed out that it would be helpful for destinations to understand the different perceptions different source markets have of a place to help them in promotion of a destination.    A couple of bright lights are shining on the horizon. Puttich pointed out that post Covid passengers seem to want the more relaxing cruises but he is confident that cultural tours will be back on the agenda before too long. In addition de Carvalho challenged the room to consider all year around cruising in Northern Europe and especially in the Baltic. He mentioned that 15 years ago when the first discussions to implement winter cruising in the Med took place many people were skeptical, but look where they are now. He added that CMP ports now receive calls every month of the year for the first time ever, and that certain brands are more keen to stay this side of the pond year-round than reposition ships to the Americas. He also suggested that a helpful exercise for all concerned would be for cruiselines and ports to put themselves in each others’ shoes when planning.

27/09/2023

Looking to the future with input from Rotterdam

In a Seatrade Europe session, entitled Next steps from the next generation, Nick Hoogeweij, executive manager, Cruise Port Rotterdam joined Filippos Venetopoulos of Variety Cruises and Rebeka V Pevec of Zadar Cruise Port for some lively discussions. Hoogeweij summed up the session: “Collaboration with cruiselines in making sustainability goals and working on a greener future together are the next steps. Implementing shore power is now of the utmost importance. Besides the above there is an importance for member organisations, such as CLIA and Cruise Europe, to bring people together to discuss and stimulate conversations on this topic. “Sharing information and facts on sustainability, developments and goals is of importance for ports, cruiselines and our industry combined. To share is to multiply the strength of the industry.” In addition Alexander Napp, managing director PWL Port Services, moderated a lively session on Streamlining port operations: maximising efficiency for ships and ports, with panellists including Lotfi Trabelsi from Royal Caribbean Group, Captain Pier Paolo Scala from MSC Cruises. Discussions took place exploring the evolving landscape of port management, opportunities for improvement and optimisation as the cruise industry continues to grow.

27/09/2023

Seatrade outstanding achievement award: Mai Elmar - executive director, Cruise Port Rotterdam

During the 2023 Seatrade Cruise Awards, Elmar was delighted and surprised to receive the Seatrade outstanding achievement award, saying: “The Cruise Port Rotterdam team and myself are in awe of the prestigious Seatrade outstanding achievement award. A most appreciated acknowledgement of the work we have been doing and are doing, locally and (inter)nationally for, and with, a fabulous, spearheading industry. “As the saying goes ‘team work, makes a dream work’ and as such oversteps individual teams, boundaries and borders in ambassadorship to our cruise industry. I am grateful and proud.”

27/09/2023

Seatrade 2023 Destination of the Year: Cruise Gate Hamburg

"Winning the Destination of the Year award is a great honour - and undoubtedly a joint achievement of the cruise industry in Hamburg: the recognition expressed by this award is due not only to the CGH team but also to all Hamburg stakeholders, the cruiselines, our local partners and Hamburg institutions we work with. Without their support, this development would not have been possible. I look forward to continuing this success story with everyone involved in the future,” comments Simone Maraschi, managing director Cruise Gate Hamburg.   The award is an outstanding achievement for the operator of Hamburg's cruise terminals and at the same time a significant milestone for the entire cruise industry in Hamburg. It recognises CGH's exceptional commitment and success in developing Hamburg as an attractive year-round cruise destination. “Hamburg has experienced an impressive resurgence as a cruise destination since the pandemic. With its diverse range of cruise itineraries and travel options, especially during the winter months, the city is proving attractive to cruiselines and their passengers all year round. This is also reflected in the steady growth in passenger numbers,” adds Maraschi.   Events, such as the Hamburg Cruise Days, ship launches and first calls, regularly attract locals and tourists to the port and bring it to life. “The images of peaceful coexistence that such events send out into the world show that cruise shipping makes an important contribution to Hamburg's attractiveness as a tourist destination and is an asset for the city,” says Maraschi.   Hamburg is also making great strides in sustainable cruise development, especially when it comes to shore power. From 2025, Hamburg will be one of the first ports in Europe to offer a shore power supply from 100% renewable energies for both cruiseships and container ships at all permanent berths.

27/09/2023

Seatrade 2023 Port of the Year: Port of Haugesund

Just over a a decade ago Haugesund, with a population of 37,800, was not on a single itinerary. This year it has received 135 calls and 425,000 passengers. This is a fine example of how a destination can put itself on the cruise map through hard work and determination. Vigleik Dueland, director of tourism and cruise development Destination Haugesund & Haugalandet, is a major part of the success story. In 2011 the tourism office and port asked him to see if it might be possible to attract cruiseships. “I didn’t know anything about the industry but I went to Seatrade Europe and met with cruiseline executives and that was the beginning. We had our first five calls in 2013,” he tells Cruise Europe. Since then visiting companies, trade shows and hosting fam trips has been an integral part of putting Haugesund in front of the decision makers. One of the key drivers was a desire to grow what was then a young tourism industry. “Collaboration and partnerships have been integral to our growth story. The strong partnership between Destination Haugesund and the Port of Haugesund has been a key factor in our success. Together, we actively engage with cruiselines, local businesses, tourism organisations, and government bodies, fostering mutually beneficial relationships,” explains Dueland. “The positive impact of cruises on the entire tourism industry in the region is undeniable. The tourist industry is now generating profits for investment, increased employment, and year-round operations. Furthermore, the cruise development has bolstered the land based tourism,” he adds.  The figures speak for themselves. For example in Akrafjorden, which is 90 minutes from Haugesund pier, there are now seven to eight companies servicing the industry whereas in the past there were two to three. “This is what cruise is doing for the whole region,” explains Dueland. “When there is a ship in Haugesund, 40 people get work in Akrafjorden. Small farms are getting guests too.” The port has a draught restriction of 9.9m at the quay. Haugesund Harbour Park terminal was built in 2013 and four 150t bollards were added to the 420m-long quay. Onshore power became available here in May this year with Celebrity Apex the first to plug in. There is also a quay in the inner harbour which can take vessels up to 130m in length. P&O Cruises’ Iona was laid up in Haugesund during the pandemic.

27/09/2023

Reykjavik terminal on track for 2025 opening

A 5,000m2 terminal on two floors is due to open at 312 Skarfabakki in the Port of Reykjavik in 2025 and be fully functional in 2026.    Construction of the multipurpose BREEM-certified building is due to commence in autumn 2023. “The brief for the project was to design a building that would accommodate different requirements regarding passenger flow and luggage handling in the most flexible way possible. The building should also be a visual landmark at the harbour overlooking the beautiful Faxa Bay, where guest could enjoy the surroundings from outside as well as inside the building,” explains Sigurdur Jokull Olafsson, marketing manager of Faxaports.   A black box concept was conceived at the heart of the terminal in order to create a multi-functional open space for turnaround operations. This will be surrounded by a glass structure to bring light and ambience to the building which will also be used for MICE events outside of the cruise season.    “A terminal is often the first point of entry to any destination so it should be as welcoming as possible,” comments Olafsson. Faxaports are investing IKr2.8 billion (€24.3 million) “because Reykjavik is becoming a key turnaround port in the North Atlantic,” he explains.   This year 265 calls bringing 285,000 passengers are scheduled, of which about 90,000 will be on turnarounds. This compares with 184 calls and 170,770 passengers  in 2022. “The future is growth in the turnaround passengers as we are more or less at capacity [in terms of pier capacity],” comments Olafsson.   Located in Sundahofn, the terminal will be a 3km shuttle bus ride from the city. At present, turnarounds are catered to by a small building and tents at 619m-long quay.   In terms of onshore power, the port is working on a three-year plan, with an investment of €20.7 million, for two high-voltage connections by the new terminal. On September 19, the Minister of Infrastructure formally opened a low voltage 1.5 MVA OPS for smaller ships in the Old Harbour. Hurtigruten’s Maud was the first to plug in.

27/09/2023

Isafjordur pier extension reduces tendering

The Port of Isafjordur has invested IKr1 billion (€8 million) in a pier extension, increasing the length of the existing pier from 190m by 310m to 500m in total, with a depth alongside of 10m. Hilmar Lyngmo, recently appointed harbour master, says: “Now the bigger ships, up to 330m in length, can come alongside the new pier instead of tendering. We now have the capacity at this pier, the two smaller piers each capable of taking ships up to 150m in length, and at anchorage.” There were 136 calls in 2019, 209 this year and 213 are scheduled for 2024. This summer the town with a population of 3,000 experienced four days when 6,000 passengers visited. Ten years ago this would have overwhelmed the community but it has grown with the industry and is now more acceptant of the ships calling, explains Gudmundur Kristjansson, retiring harbour master. “Post-Covid we had fewer ships with only half capacity which gave time for services to come back. Discussions are taking place re a limit on passenger numbers. Cruise companies also calling for a limit,” he adds. The cruise industry now accounts for 70% of the annual income of the port (in the past it was fishing), allowing it to develop and invest.

27/09/2023

New associate member: Humann & Taconet

Humann & Taconet is a family-owned business dating back to the 1920s. Eighteen years ago Jacques Thyebault joined the company and set up Humann & Taconet Cruise Agencies. Today the agencies represent 30 cruiselines, organising between 350 and 400 calls a year in 54 ports and and anchorages in France, from Dunkirk to Bonifacio. The company handles all aspects of port operations including, but not limited to, itinerary planning, nautical expertise, warehousing , stevedoring and provisioning, organising crew travel, visas and medical attendance.  “We have also found that troubleshooting and nautical know-how have become increasingly important especially post-Covid. We strive to offer the cruise lines alternatives and workable choices for their itineraries and their queries. With the ever increasing change in weather conditions we try our best to accommodate the clients and their ships using our diplomatic ties to local and national networks to get through what is often heavy administrative processes and procedures to achieve solutions which would otherwise often be refused,” explains Jacques Thyebaut, director - cruise & marine operations France. Thyebaut and his wife Felicia Kennedy also own and manage KS and ShoreSide Unlimited, which provide services beyond pure port operations, for example shuttle service, turnarounds checkin and meet and greet, special events such as fireworks and tents and scanners arrangements where there is no cruise terminal.  In addition, cruiseship drydock operations are offered in Dunkirk, Brest & Marseille, while ships in lay-up are accommodated in Caen.