Thursday, March 14, 2024 - 11:15 by ce-press
In June 2023 a new quay was inaugurated in Harstad town centre. Built on the site of a previous quay, the 276m-long quay, with a depth of 9.5m, is fully financed by the Port of Harstad (PoH). Prior to this, all the ships docked at Stangnes industrial area, about 10 minutes drive away.
The maximum size of ship that can come alongside the new quay is 300m in length, explains Cecilia Henningsen, business developer PoH. “Now we can have two ships of 150m, or one ship over 150m, at the quay.”
There were four calls in 2022, 13 last year and 10 are scheduled this year. Of the latter, eight will be visiting for the first time. “Several of the [visiting] captains gave us great feedback on the approach to the quay, about the new quay itself, and its proximity to everything,” says Henningsen.
This year, the port is introducing the EPI. “The port wants to actively collect and measure its environmental footprint,” she explains. “Our port wants to contribute with what we can do to facilitate and improve the environment.
“This initiative will enhance knowledge and communication and lay the groundwork for a future reward system to incentivise sustainable practices among cruiseship operators.
“We are pleased to be able to use this and see how we can work with the EPI system to become even more environmentally-friendly, together with the cruiselines.”
For passengers visiting, it is a 150m walk from the quay gate to the centre of Harstad or 50m to the shopping mall, where there are public toilets and free internet access. Discounts are offered to crew in various outlets.
Independent travellers can visit the many attractions in the town, explore the archipelago by boat/rib, or explore one of the nearby nature trails. To go further afield taxis and buses are located near to the port. For shore excursions, there is parking for about 12 buses close to the ISPS fences.
A wide variety of tours are on offer in the Trondenes Peninsula, including; a medieval farm with a living museum experience; the medieval stone church Trondenes; 1868 sailing schooner Anna Ronde and an Adolf cannon from World War 2. For hikers the most popular mountain is Keipen with stunning views and the possibility of viewing the Northern Lights and the Midnight Sun.
Harstad, with a population of 25,000, is open year-round due to its sheltered harbour and is keen to extend its season to showcase the town and surrounds in winter too.
