Thursday, October 31, 2024 - 07:58 by ce-press
Copenhagen Malmo Port (CMP), in partnership with Cruise Denmark – Copenhagen and beyond (CDCAB), initiated a comprehensive engagement strategy in 2023 to emphasize the importance of cruise operations for ports and their surrounding communities, with a strong focus on sustainability. Recently they have hosted events onboard cruise vessels in Copenhagen and Visby.
“These events reflect the commitment of all cruise industry stakeholders to educate and engage local politicians and local communities on cruise-related matters with a high focus on sustainability,” explains Luis de Carvalho, commercial cruise director, CMP.
An example of such an event took place on September 27 when AIDAnova called into Copenhagen following meticulous planning by CMP and CDCAB.
Felix Eichhorn, president AIDA Cruises, welcomed members of the Danish Parliament and the Copenhagen City Council, tourism service providers and cruise-related companies on board. “We come to the destinations as guests and partners and are committed to constructive dialogue. From guest management and the value chain to the promotion of sustainable projects, we are a reliable partner at the side of the regions we visit. We are particularly pleased that the commissioning of the first shore-side power plant for cruiseships in Copenhagen is on the agenda for next year. We will be available to the port as a project planning partner,” he said.
The sustainability dialogue on board AIDAnova offered presentations as well as interactive Q&A sessions that enabled in-depth discussions on environmental initiatives. Guest management in destinations was also discussed.
One item on the programme of the event took participants behind the scenes at AIDAnova, including to the engine control room, the ship's shore power system and the waste treatment facilities. Here, the participants were able to gain their own impression of AIDA Cruises' sustainability measures and discuss operational and environmental issues directly with the officers of the ship's departments.
From an initial summer-only destination, AIDA Cruises has successfully developed the Baltic Sea region as a year-round destination calling at more than 20 ports. Copenhagen plays a central role in hosting six of the brand’s ships year-round.
Klaus Bondam, Director of CDCAB, said:
It is vital for us as a destination to share best practices with a broader public on the adoption of greener technologies, such as shore power, alternative fuels, and waste management solutions, to reduce cruise ports' and cruise ships environmental footprint. At the same time we – like other European cruise networks - must address the debates in over-tourism by developing strategies to better manage the flow of cruise passengers in popular destinations, ensuring that tourism remains a positive force for local economies and cultures while minimizing pressure on infrastructure and ecosystems. For us a ship visit like the one we did onboard AIDAnova, is by far the best way to enter into a fruitful and learning dialogue with Danish decision takers.
Earlier in the summer, TUI Cruises and CMP had organised a TUI Cruises Gotland Day in Visby on board methanol-ready Mein Schiff 7.
Here too, the objective was to share knowledge, experiences and best practices related to sustainability (including environmental initiatives on board and passenger visitation management in Gotland), and to promote dialogue.
TUI Cruises’ director destinations Marcus Puttich and Royal Caribbean Group director government relations UK & Nordics Jonathan Hawkings joined Carvalho in presenting and answering questions. Local politicians, including Gotland mayor Meit Fohlin, Gotland council governor Anders Flanking, Region Gotland executive officer Stefan Hollmark, took active part, alongside local stakeholders representing the port, tourism entities, museums and local, attractions, local business owners and entrepreneurs.
There was also a behind-the-scenes visit to the engine room, waste treatment room, bridge and public areas where the participants were able to engage with the on-board team of officers, staff and crew.
Erik Ohrn, ceo GFB (Gotland Business and Tourism Association), commented: “It was very inspiring to take part and see how the development of future cruiseships has developed to become more sustainable. It was also very clear that we, as a destination, need to shift gears and continue to develop our tours and our infrastructure to keep up with the developments that are taking place. We look forward to continuing to develop Gotland as a destination together with our cruise partners and our local businesses.”
