Thursday, August 21, 2025 - 10:56 by ce-press
The new Cruise Center HafenCity integrates cruise operations into a vibrant urban quarter in the heart of Hamburg, offering passengers a unique arrival experience into the port.
On April 26, 2025, Hamburg celebrated a major milestone in its cruise development with the inaugural call of Fred Olsen Cruise Line’s Balmoral at the brand-new Cruise Center HafenCity.
This marked the beginning of a soft-opening phase, during which operations are being gradually scaled up and optimised. Approximately 45 calls are scheduled for this year, with around 40 still to come in the remaining season. A deliberate decision was made to start with a manageable number of calls in 2025. From 2026, the number of calls is expected to double to around 100, with larger vessels and more extensive turnarounds planned.
What sets the Cruise Center HafenCity apart is its integration into the Westfield Hamburg Uberseequartier: a vibrant urban development that offers cruise passengers an unparalleled arrival experience.
Unlike cruise terminals that are located on the outskirts of cities, this terminal places passengers right in the heart of Hamburg. Ships sail past the historic Landungsbrucken and the iconic Elbphilharmonie before docking in HafenCity, offering a scenic and memorable entry into the city.
The terminal is surrounded by a dynamic mix of retail, dining, and entertainment options. Passengers can explore the immersive art experience, Port des Lumieres; enjoy family-friendly attractions like the new LEGO Discovery Centre, or simply stroll through the UNESCO-listed Speicherstadt, just minutes away on foot. The Elbphilharmonie concert hall is also within easy walking distance, while excellent public transport connections ensure access to the rest of the city.
Simone Maraschi, managing director of Cruise Gate Hamburg (CGH), emphasises the collaborative spirit behind the project: “Unlike many other cruise destinations, Hamburg has successfully managed to build a terminal right in the city centre, thanks to the close collaboration with stakeholders and the strong support from political leadership and the local community.
“Especially in today’s climate of growing criticism toward cruise tourism in many destinations, this achievement demonstrates the exceptional level of broad and sustained support cruise tourism enjoys in Hamburg, both politically and among the public.”
Sustainability is a key focus with this new terminal, too. Like Hamburg’s other terminals in Altona and Steinwerder, Cruise Center HafenCity will be equipped with an onshore power facility. Both berths will feature state-of-the-art shore power technology, aligned with the standards already in place at Steinwerder.
Initial commissioning tests with ships are planned for later this year, with the goal of supplying all compatible ships with shore power from 2026 onwards: a response to the growing demand from cruiselines for greener port infrastructure.
The entire Uberseequartier, including the integrated terminal, is also part of a broader vision to create shared cultural experiences for tourists and locals alike. As part of the Westfield opening celebrations, international pop star Rita Ora performed a waterfront concert on the quay just in front of the terminal in June - a preview of future events designed to bring the port and city closer together.
With its central location, modern infrastructure, and commitment to sustainability, Cruise Center HafenCity is well-positioned to set new standards for urban cruise terminals, in Hamburg and beyond.
The terminal complex spans 10,000m2 across four levels, with two levels dedicated to passenger processing and two for traffic (one for buses, one for cars and taxis).It features two berths: Berth 1 is 345m in length and Berth 2 is 230m in length. Both quays have a draught of 10.3m, allowing them to accommodate cruise ships with an average capacity of 2,500 passengers. Depending on ship size and operational requirements, the terminal can handle one large ship or two smaller vessels simultaneously.
In terms of OPS, the connections will be via mobile units. The converter technology is provided by Power Con, and the connection system comes from Stemmann Technik/Wabtec. The shore power operator is the Hamburg Port Authority, and the energy supplier is Trawa, delivering green electricity in line with Hamburg’s climate goals. Once completed, the facility will be part of Hamburg’s broader strategy to offer shore power at all three cruise terminals, enabling 70 to 80 percent of cruiseships calling at Hamburg to use sustainable electricity while at berth.
The terminal will be 100% refinanced through CGH´s revenue generated from ongoing cruise operations.
