News Archive

23/09/2023

Largest cruise ship of the year for Lerwick Harbour

The largest cruise ship in Lerwick Harbour’s 2023 programme arrived today (Saturday 23 September) – the 132nd in what is set to be the Shetland port’s busiest season yet. With size measured by tonnage, the 145,655 gross tonne Norwegian Getaway, operated by Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line, is on a 16-day round Northern Europe voyage. On her maiden visit to Lerwick, the 326 metre (1,068 feet), 18-deck vessel anchored in the inner harbour. With 3,855 passengers, mainly Americans and Canadians on board, those choosing to go ashore were transferred by tender to Victoria Pier, to be welcomed by Lerwick’s meet-and greet team with information on Shetland’s many attractions. In recognition of the vessel’s first time in the port, passengers were also greeted by members of Lerwick’s Jarl Squad. Lerwick Port Authority’s Cruise & Marketing Manager, Melanie Henderson, said: “Norwegian Getaway is another demonstration of the harbour’s capacity to accommodate larger vessels, as well as the more regular traffic of smaller expedition and medium-sized ships which account for most of our programme. “It is pleasing that she is the 18th maiden call this year, the most we have yet had in a single season and highlighting that Shetland continues to attract first-time visits, as well as new operators and repeat business.” On a return voyage from Southampton, Norwegian Getaway’s next destination is Reykjavik, Iceland.

29/08/2023

CE members active across the board at Seatrade Europe in Hamburg

Cruise Europe (CE) will be out in numbers at Seatrade Europe in Hamburg next week (5-8 September). Whether visiting the CE stand (#420 in Hall A1), co-exhibiting with the French Atlantic Ports, Port of Tallinn, Port of Foyle, the North Atlantic Agency and Environmental Port Index, or attending panel sessions, visitors will find the Association of 126 port members and 17 associate members has a huge presence at the expo & conference. On Wednesday morning, CE chair Captain Michael McCarthy will be joining the panel for the State of the European cruise industry: insights on scaling sustainably. This session is always a crowd puller. Monic van der Heyden, chair Rivercruise Europe and commercial director Cruise Port Amsterdam, will be moderating the State of the river cruise industry on Thursday morning, whilst Nick Hoogeweij from Cruise Port Rotterdam is taking part in Next steps from the next generation. Later in the day Alexander Napp, from new associate member PWL Port Services, will be moderating a session on streamlining port operations: maximising efficiency for ships and ports. And Luis de Carvalho of Copenhagen Malmo Port will be guiding the panel on Collaboration through crisis: shaping the future of cruise operations in Northern Europe. Meanwhile two CE members - Simone Maraschi from Cruise Gate Hamburg and Jon Olav Stedje from Port of Flam - talk to CLIA Europe director European government affairs Nikos Mertzanidis about The future of environmental impact assessment in port operations. Maraschi will also be taking part in the session on Shore power 101: empowering ports for a sustainable future, alongside Morten Kusk from the Port of Aarhus amongst others. In addition, CE is excited to have two members - Hamburg and Haugesund - and one associate member, Intercruises, shortlisted for Seatrade awards in three different categories: Destination of the year; Port of the year; and Innovative shorex of the year, respectively. And last, but by no means least, CE social media guru Liz Gammon will be moderating a workshop, Expedition edge on Wednesday, and three conference sessions on Thursday: Journey through the European river cruise market; River cruising vs ocean cruising through a passenger’s eyes; and River cruise destination 101. The Cruise Europe family is much looking forward to seeing you all soon.

29/08/2023

Belfast enjoying growth as cruise turnaround destination

In the past decade Belfast has established itself as a cruise destination, hosting most of the world’s largest and best-known cruiselines. Cruise Belfast, the partnership between Belfast Harbour and Visit Belfast, works with excursions partners, agents and service providers to deliver a seamless, first -class service for cruiselines and their passengers. “This destination support, together with our customary warm welcome has earned Belfast its position as one of the most popular cruise destinations in Europe,” says Jenni Barkley, communications and corporate responsibility manager Belfast Harbour. Four years ago, Belfast Harbour invested £500,000 (€582,932) and opened the first dedicated cruise terminal on the island of Ireland. Following this, in 2021 Cruise Belfast invested in a 215m2 extension of the existing terminal building to enhance capacity, responding to growing demand from cruiselines. This additional area has facilitated baggage handling, scanning and passenger processing for turnarounds, as well as traditional passenger entertainment on transit calls. This year has seen Belfast Harbour welcome the two millionth cruise passenger to Northern Ireland since the first call in 1996. This was at a time when the region’s fledgling tourism industry was finding its feet, but in the quarter century since then, the industry has grown exponentially. By the end of the 2023 season, Belfast will have welcomed more than 150 calls from 57 ships representing 32 different lines, including 13 ships which will have called to the city for the first time. Belfast has seen more than 1,160 cruise calls by vessels from 75 different cruiselines to date including some of the biggest cruiseships: Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas and MSC Virtuosa. In 2022 Belfast Harbour delivered seven partial turnarounds in collaboration with Fred Olsen Cruise Lines and other North Irish Sea ports as part of a multi-port embarkation offering. This was followed in the same year by a full turnaround for Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Voyager’ which saw almost 1,000 passengers processed in Belfast. Luggage scanning, health screening and a seamless check-in process were all conducted within existing shoreside facilities at the port’s dedicated cruise terminal, a 10-minute drive from the city centre. With the potential capacity for up to 3,000 passengers to embark and disembark in Belfast, Belfast Harbour can provide the necessary space and facilities in which to process the passengers and luggage. In June this year, almost 4,000 passengers embarked or disembarked Oceania Cruises’ Riviera as it undertook two turnarounds in the month. Belfast Harbour also facilitated a further six partial turnarounds, with Ambassador Cruise Line (ACL), offering a ‘no-fly’ cruise option to hundreds of local cruise passengers getting on and off vessels in their home country. Bob McGowan, head of operations ACL, says: “It’s been brilliant to be able to offer Ambassador guests a turnaround option in Belfast, where the friendly turnaround staff, the wonderful hospitality and, of course, the warmest of welcomes are second to none. Our relationship with Belfast Harbour has been easy and stress-free since the moment we first started working together. Nothing is ever a problem for the team, and we look forward to continuing our partnership in the months and years to come.” With Belfast City Airport and Belfast International Airport on the port’s doorstep and direct connection in to Dublin Airport, which is just 90 mins away, the Belfast Cruise terminal is well connected and offers tourists from a number of countries an alternative destination from which to begin or end their cruise journeys, with many people now taking advantage of the city’s hotel accommodation and all there is to do in Northern Ireland at either end of their cruise. Michael Robinson, port director Belfast Harbour, says Belfast is now well and truly on the radar for international cruise operators when setting their schedules. “As we continue to develop our offering, it is great to see both local and international guests having the option to start their cruise in Belfast and spend time here before or after itinerary. “There has been huge investment made in the local cruise industry by Belfast Harbour and our partners, and this has paid dividends. Northern Ireland has much to offer visitors as a destination, as well as great connectivity and air routes, making it an ideal jumping off point for cruise guests exploring the UK and northern Europe.” Looking to the future, Belfast Harbour has major plans to expand port facilities to accommodate the growth in cruise trade and support other complimentary sectors such as offshore wind. The proposed new berth, which will be 1,115ft (340m) in length, will help meet demand from seasonal cruise trade into the city and enable even more visitors not only to spend a day in Belfast, but also to make it the start and end of their journey.

29/08/2023

Gothenburg partners in the H2AMN project

A project aimed at enhancing knowledge about the potential for Nordic ports to serve as energy hubs in hydrogen-based energy system solutions, H2AMN (hydrogen, ammonia and methanol) ,has been approved by The Energy Agency (Energimyndigheten).    The Port of Gothenburg is a partner in the three-year, SEK 20million (€1.7million) project and is involved with two of the seven work packages. One is looking at how Gothenburg can play a role in the whole hydrogen society with a 2030/40 perspective and the other is to look at storage, explains Therese Jallbrink, head of renewable energy Port of Gothenburg.   “We believe we can be an important player in storing, loading and possibly also generating hydrogen. With local refineries as potential off-takers for their future production, this will be an advantage for next year’s pilot project,” adds Christoffer Lillhage, senior business development manager, energy and cruise at the port.   In terms of storage, the port wants to investigate whether the onsite rock caverns can be used for storing hydrogen or ammonia in the future. Although it does not own the rights, it is keen to assess the future possibility with the help of researchers experienced in geo technology. The caverns of differing sizes were built after World War 2 as energy reserves and can handle as much as 600,000m3 of crude oil today. Lillhage comments that salt caverns in Germany and The Netherlands are now being developed as hydrogen storage in two different pilot projects and “we hope that our infrastructure assets can play the same role for the future energy transition”.     While the project will potentially enable large-scale hydrogen production in the future, the port is presently working on a smaller scale facility. “The plan is that in 2024 we should start the production of hydrogen using a small electrolyser. This will give us a 4.5 to 5mW production facility producing about 2t per day which can be used for applications that might use hydrogen. We don’t know what they may be but it might be trucks and other applications in terminals. It could also provide hydrogen for vessels coming into the port that run on hydrogen, or to supply a power cell for electricity on board etc,” explains Jallbrink.   “We have been discussing with a few cruiselines very early to see if it is possible for them to use that hydrogen, for example switching containers here, but that needs to be looked at in much more detail,” adds Lillhage.   Statkraft, a Norwegian energy company, is now getting the licences in place for starting hydrogen production in the Port of Gothenburg but it also has to take the final investment decision with 2024 looking promising to start.   Lillhage believes that being able to provide alternative fuels will give the Port of Gothenburg a competitive edge over its neighbours not just for cruise but cargo companies. “We were quite early to realise that we need to provide all these alternatives to reach our emission targets and to stay competitive as a bunker port.”     One thing is certain, as Jallbrink explains:  “We are not here to do this alone. The Port of Gothenburg will play an important part of this puzzle being a neutral player and facilitator of the energy transition. But when it comes to the regulatory and safety framework for hydrogen and ammonia it will be very helpful to collaborate between ports/nations in the project to save time. We need action now. If we do it together it will be much quicker and will also mean sharing the costs.”

29/08/2023

ECS green investments bear fruit

European Cruise Service (ECS) is experiencing strong growth and is seeing the results of targeted work with a zero-emission strategy. 
“We have persisted in our strategy of delivering quality services and investing in the electrification of our transport services. This has paid off with solid recognition and strong growth in traffic in Norway. We very quite happy about that, particularly because cruises are a regional industry with extreme importance for destinations such as Flam, Geiranger and the North Cape. Never have we sold more excursion tickets for excursions in our regions,” says Andreas Storl, ceo ECS.

 For the past five years ECS has worked actively with an ambitious large zero-emissions programme. The company is on track to achieve emission-free transport for cruise passengers on land well before 2030. ECS is working towards environmental certification with Travelife this year and GSTC by 2024. “We are investing on a large scale to electrify all modes of tourist transport on land. In Norwegian ports, we now offer growing proportion of smaller electric vehicles that help spread tourism and give passengers experiences they would not otherwise have, because you are closer to the pulse of the city. In Bergen, on some days up to 80 percent of passenger transport is already conducted with electric vehicles. Our main collaborative partner, Boreal Travel does an outstanding job of acquiring electric vehicles in line with our requirements,” explains Storl.

 “ECS works actively to achieve net-zero emissions for sightseeing tours, to better distribute cruise traffic and to contribute to increased local value creation. The company engages with authorities and in political environments via the lobby working initiative ABC to achieve better conditions for companies in the national cruise industry,” explains Arthur Kordt, entrepreneur and owner of the corporation. In collaboration with CLIA and Cruise Norway, ECS has created a ‘Platform for sustainable cruise tourism in Norway’, which has been presented to the Norwegian Government's Destination Committee. 
This platform details how improved arrangements can be made for increased value creation from cruise tourism in Norway and what is needed to reduce emissions, pollution, and queues. It also points to the need for faster development of infrastructure for onshore power systems and biofuel, and calls for all organised, land-based transport of cruise tourists to be emission-free.

 “Our strategy is to get excursions emission free, here we can make a difference. We have chosen to take active steps and we have ambitions to be far ahead of the local development,” concludes Storl.

29/08/2023

Aberdeen ramps up its cruise offering

With Balmoral Quay up and running at Aberdeen’s transformational South Harbour development, the city is now welcoming larger cruiseships, and this achievement will be celebrated at the  official opening which will take place on September 22 with Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal in attendance.   “The introduction of South Harbour has resulted in a significant increase in calls this year. We have already accommodated ships up to 220m in length this season and this will increase next year so it’s hugely exciting for us as a port and for the wider destination,” says Marlene Mitchell, commercial manager Port of Aberdeen.     South Harbour consists of four quays: Balmoral, Castlegate, Dunnottar and Crathes giving 1.5km of quayside. This year, three of the four have accommodated cruise calls, accounting for over 40% of the total calls this season.   “We have had some very good feedback from masters about the new set up at South Harbour. The quaysides are clear so it is easy to get set up to manage cruise guests safely and efficiently. They find harbour access and egress straightforward as it is a short channel access and no restrictions so they can be in and out in a very short time from the pilot buoy,” explains Mitchell.   The port aims to be net zero by 2040 across all three scopes and is assessing onshore power requirements in South Harbour, whilst beginning work on it in North Harbour. On the back of the opening success, the port is planning ahead and is considering future quayside facility requirements. “We support transit calls now in South Harbour. We are working to understand if cruiselines will use Aberdeen as an embarkation port,” explains Mitchell.   Passengers have also benefitted from the Visit Aberdeenshire Welcome Volunteer scheme, whereby passengers are met on the quayside with maps and local information to aid those visiting independently. From Royal Deeside and Balmoral Castle to distilleries, the free NuArt street art walking tour and magnificent history to dolphins and seals, there is much on offer.   “It has been a hugely exciting season. We are the gateway to the city and shire and provide a true growth opportunity for the area. People return after visiting on a cruise. We have had amazing feedback from local businesses who are seeing footfall increase on cruise days and they are buying into the concept of being prepared, having extra staff on cruise days, being ready to do whisky tastings etc,” says Mitchell.   The success is due to the hard work of the Cruise Aberdeenshire team, a collaboration between Visit Aberdeenshire, Visit Scotland, Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen Inspired and Port of Aberdeen.

29/08/2023

Turku sets 2029 carbon neutral goal

In June the Port of Turku joined the climate team of the city of Turku, which has set the goal of being carbon neutral in 2029. The port has been doing systematic environmental work for a long time. Mitigation of climate change as part of the carbon-neutral Turku urban area is one of the central goals of its environmental programme that extends until 2025. The aim is to reduce greenhouse emissions by 40% in the period 2008-2025. The goal is to minimise the environmental impact of the port’s operations on land, sea, and air. In all its activities, the port considers the city’s climate plan and the European Union’s ‘Fit for 55’ goals. “Our own climate action is to move towards carbon neutrality by investing in the use of renewable energy and the electrification of operations. The electricity used by the port has been tendered as renewable. The vehicle fleet has been changed to electric within the framework offered by the market, regarding both vans and other work machines. In addition, charging stations for electric cars have been added in the harbour area. In those vehicles where electrification is not possible, biodiesel will be used,” explains Mark Alahame, technical director Port of Turku. “Climate work must be at the centre of everything we do. It often means investments, but they do pay for themselves,” he concludes.

29/08/2023

Anna Sylvan joins CMP Visby as cruise manager

Copenhagen Malmo Port (CMP) has appointed Anna Sylvan as the new cruise manager for its cruise business in Visby. She holds a captain's degree from Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg and has extensive experience serving aboard various vessels, including those of Crystal Cruises. In recent years, Sylvan worked as a manager at Gotland Excursion, where she oversaw the coordination of excursions to different parts of Gotland. In her new role, she will assume responsibility for the management of the cruise pier and terminal facilities in Visby, spearhead business development initiatives, and continue to build strong relationships with local stakeholders and the local community. “With her experience and knowledge, Anna is an excellent addition to our team and plays a crucial role in integrating and developing the cruise business on Gotland. Anna's primary focus will be to ensure that all of Gotland can take part in the growing cruise tourism and that the business contributes to a sustainable growth that creates opportunities to conduct cruise operations all year round,” says Luis de Carvalho, commercial cruise director Copenhagen Malmo Port. Since the cruise terminal was inaugurated in 2018, over 700,000 passengers have visited Gotland. In 2023, 165,000 passengers are expected and the bookings for 2024 are already picking up. “Through strategic partnerships, continuous innovation, and the delivery of exceptional services, CMP aims to cement Visby’s position as a top cruise destination in the Baltic, while supporting the local economic growth and sustainable development of Gotland. We are therefore happy that Anna Sylvan is now in place to work on these important issues,” de Carvalho concludes.

29/08/2023

New associate member: PWL Port Services

PWL Port Services is a long-established company providing port agency, stevedoring, ground service and tourist support for passengers in all German seaports. For tour operators, it provides a service in passenger management of transit and turnaround calls.   The company handles about 400 cruise calls and approximately 1.5 million passengers a season in its ground and tour operation. “Our dedicated staff of around 20 persons in the cruise division is only a small part of the entire port agency set up of more than 60 persons that handle around 4,000 calls of ships per year in our German waters,” explains Alexander Napp, managing director of the company.

29/08/2023

Kristiansund highlights the importance of calls to the Smola community

“More and more cruiselines are opening their eyes to Smola as a cruise destination,” says Erika Indergaard, cruise and marketing manager Port of Kristiansund and Nordmore. Next year sees five calls from three cruiselines already scheduled with Ponant calling for the first time, bringing Le Commandant Charcot. Sindre Holberg, managing director Holberg Shipping (which handles the calls and shorex), was the initiator of Smola as a destination. He says: “The cruise calls have become both a local happening, as well as an important contributor to tourism in Smola. Generating the need for local guides, busses and other services, it has added to the foundation for tourism businesses on the island. For a small community of just over 2,000 inhabitants, this is important.”   The National Geographic vessels have called annually since 2014, with the exception of the Covid period. Trey Byus, chief expedition officer Lindblad Expeditions, has earlier expressed: “Thanks very much for what was a highlight visit for our guests. We look forward to our return.”   When Lindblad visited in May and July, the visits to the fishing villages of Brattvaer (vacated) and Veiholmen (occupied) on the same day were a highlight. “We divide them into smaller groups in order to give the guests the best possible experience and get closer to the guides and the local people. The guests tend to be very fascinated by being able to visit two places, which from the same starting point have developed so differently in just 70-80 years,” says Holberg.

29/08/2023

Inge Tangeras takes over at Cruise Destination Hardangerfjord

The local council of Eidfjord has established a new company, Visit Eidfjord KF, to take over both the destination marketing and the port operations. Helge Moller has retired as managing director Cruise Destination Hardangerfjord whilst Inge Tangeras has been engaged as managing director of the new company, starting November 1. Born in Hardanger, Tangeras will take responsibility of all cruise business in the ports of Eidfjord and Ulvik. From the installation of a new cruise quay in Eidfjord in 2005, the port has grown from 17 to 80 calls and more than 200,000 passengers this year.   Tangeras has been CEO Cruise Norway since 2017 and before that port director in Bergen for six years. He also has experience in ship construction, offshore projects, finance, maritime service , fish farming and consultancy.

29/08/2023

New associate member: Nautilus Port Services

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

01/08/2023

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

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

23/07/2023

Cruise Port Amsterdam is open for business as usual

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

18/07/2023

Aarhus exceeds onshore supply expectations

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

18/07/2023

New member: Vagur

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

18/07/2023

Gdansk is ready to accept more calls

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

18/07/2023

Bilbao chosen as MSC’s port of embarkation to Dubai

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

14/07/2023

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

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

05/07/2023

THE HAMBURG CRUISE DAYS 2023 ARE BACK IN ITS OLD STRENGTH

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

22/06/2023

Cruise underway at Port of Aberdeen’s new South Harbour

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

16/06/2023

Hamburg shorepower gains traction

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

16/06/2023

Runavik promotes local communities 

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

16/06/2023

HaminaKotka receives great guest feedback

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