IJmuiden benefits from its position

IJmuiden is quietly going about its business and the results are plain to see. This year 34 calls brought the total since 2012 to 400.

First timers are much in evidence. Costa is turning around for the first time next year (Costa Pacifica). Norwegian Cruise Line is calling for the first time with four calls from Norwegian Spirit.

This year Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Seabourn both made inaugural calls to the Dutch port with Seven Seas Explorer and Seabourn Ovation respectively.

IJmuiden is 500m sailing from the open sea and just 45 minutes by coach into Amsterdam, whereas the canal passage takes two and a half to three hours. For this reason some companies are choosing to save time and dock IJmuiden or drop off passengers before sailing on into Amsterdam.

Vessels of up to 295m can be moored alongside but the port can take those up to 325m. Due to the situation of the navigation lights/lighthouse, each call requires separate permission to be granted by the government. IJmuiden port authority is hoping for a permanent permission to be put in place which would require replacing the existing lighthouse.

Looking to the future, stronger bollards and removal of the slope at one end of the basin is on the cards. But this is not preventing bookings going forward. Seven Seas Navigator is already booked for August 2020 and Costa Pacifica in 2021. Ron Maes, advisor to the board KVSA (Felison Terminal IJmuiden), commented: “Booking for 2021 for a port like IJmuiden, that is crazy. We are very pleased with it.”