Friday, March 20, 2020 - 12:20 by ce-press
Presently Aberdeen Harbour has no restrictions on accepting cruiseships, but all access requests would be subject to review at time of request, according to Marlene Mitchell, Aberdeen Harbour Board. The maximum length overall that can be accommodated is 165m. Crew activity would be supported by the port agent as per standard operating terms, but in the event of any wellbeing challenges the port would implement standard health & safety procedures, again supported by the agent team.
Cruiseships can go alongside in Bergen under special conditions but only for bunkering/provision/water etc. Crew and passengers cannot go ashore which will be enforced by the port having police/security people on the pier. The City of Bergen does not want cruise vessels to come to Bergen, according to Frode Sagmo, cruise coordinator Port of Bergen, but if some crew want to sign off the decision will be taken by the politician/doctor.
The Port of Bodo cannot accommodate cruiseships for a longer period of time in the situation we are in, says Erlend Willumsen, director of market & development Port of Bodo. There is limited space in the port which is an important hub for transport of goods and supply. Quays need to be prioritised for this purpose. “In case of emergency it could be possible to place cruiseships on anchor in the region around Bodo”.
Geirangerfjord cruise port is closed and the measure will apply until further notice - the situation is considered continuous, according to Rita Berstad Maraak Hamnesjef, port director Geirangerfjord Cruise Port.
The Port of Kalundborg is open but crew and passengers are not allowed to leave the ship and go ashore. However for now the government has accepted crew change under special guidelines. For one/two-day ships up to 285m in length and with 9.5m draught can be accommodated. However: “This size quays are used for other operations, such as container traffic etc, therefore this business has priority, and the quays can only be used on days when free,” explains Michael Larsen, Port of Kalundborg. “For longer period lay-bys etc we only have three smaller quays available: Quay 9 - 230m long but maximum length overall 160m/6.6m water depth (max draught up to the ship/pilot); Quay 4 - 100m/8m; Quay 3 - 120m/7.4m. Additional security measures are being implemented to make sure neither crew goes ashore or public goes to the ship. Larsen adds: “Kalundborg has a sheltered bay with good anchorage areas for even the biggest ships. From here provisions etc can be supplied by supply boats”.
The Port of Lyngdal is closed due to the coronavirus but anchorage is still available. To prevent the spread of the virus, the Chief of Police has decided to refuse foreign crew members shore leave in all ports in the Southwestern Police District, according to Anne Grete Loland, tourism manager, Lyngdal Kommune. The decision means that foreign crew members are not allowed to leave the ISPS area. The first call this year is expected on May 27.
The Port of Roenne is open to ships up to 350m with a water depth of 9m to 11m until May 1 but possibly longer depending on the present situation, according to Niels Lundberg, chief business officer cruise & PSO Port of Roenne. Crew restrictions would be according to the Danish Health Authorities.
St Malo can take cruiseships but only in the inner port (150m length overall entering by the lock). They will not be allowed on the mooring buoys. At least two vessels can be accommodated, but the cruiseline should call the harbour master who will give the last decision and provide information about restrictions for crew, place and quantity, says Luis Lezcano, development director cruise Port of Saint-Malo & Cancale.
As at March 20, there are no restrictions in the Port of Seydisfjordur. One ship up to 150m long and with a maximum draught of 6m can be accommodated for as long as needed. Crew provisions would be arranged as and when needed, explains Adalheidur Borgthorsdottir, mayor, and managing director Port of Seydisfjordur. All quarantine and other guidelines issued by the Icelandic authorities must be strictly followed.
The Port of Southampton and ABP’s other UK ports remain open for business and continues to support the disembarkation and varied requirements of several cruise vessels. “With the situation changing daily, we are being as flexible as we can in providing options for operations, layup and anchorage for the full range of cruiseships in Southampton and across our 21 UK ports. We are working with all relevant bodies and partners to ensure this is carried out in the safest and most efficient way possible,” says Rebekah Keeler, commercial manager Associated British Ports (ABP).
As far as Spanish ports are concerned, cruiseships have not been allowed to call since March 13 at 00.00, with an extension until March 15 for disembarking passengers that return home. There is no common policy for ships requesting lay-by until return of operations. Further information is awaited.
The Finnish borders will close as of 19 March but ports will stay open for necessary goods traffic, explains Antti Pekanheimo, coo Port of Turku. “However the Port of Turku might be able to receive cruise vessels lay-up under certain conditions for a short period of time. The berth places for larger vessels are reserved for the needs of liner traffic. Small vessels with a maximum length of 120m could be placed along the river Aura near the port. This is considered case by case.”
The Port of Ventspils is open to cruiseships up to a length of 240m but mooring dates and time will have to be set in advance in order tor avoid disturbing regular ferry traffic, says Artis Senkevics, head of commercial department Noord Natie Ventspils Terminals. Additional information will be needed in terms of crew provisions, security and health checks.
