Galway gets the go ahead on waterfront development and port

30/08/2026

Sikuki Nuuk is the first Greenland port to join Cruise Europe

Sikuki Nuuk is strategically well-placed on the West Coast of Greenland, an ice-free part of the Arctic open for all year operation. The cruise business in Greenland plays a significant part in the overall foreign tourism impact, accounting for DKK765 million (€102 million) of the total DKK1.9 billion turnover or 40 percent, according to an independent study undertaken for Visit Greenland by Ramboll. The expedition sector accounted for DKK501 million and conventional cruise DKK264 million. Those numbers are set to rise following the opening of the Nuuk International Airport in November 2024 and Sikuki Nuuk Harbour receiving its first turnaround calls into a newly built turnaround terminal in 2025. John Rasmussen, ceo Sikuki Nuuk Harbour (SNH), says: “The new airport, which is built nearby, has definitely created a new activity of turnarounds as we didn’t have them at all before”. The airport offers direct year-round service to Copenhagen (Air Greenland) and Reykjavik (Icelandair), plus a seasonal United Airlines service from Newark, USA. Of the 78 calls (43,670 passengers) handled that year, 27 were turnarounds from companies such as Viking and Hurtigruten. In 2024 calls numbered 62 (37,574 passengers). Although numbers have dropped this year to 48 calls of which 27 are turnarounds, next year shows a rise back up to 70 and 45 respectively. While the majority of calls are from expedition ships carrying up to 600 passengers, the port has also welcomed conventional cruiseships from brands such as AIDA Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruises. In 2025 cruise accounted for around 38 per cent of vessel-related income at the port - the largest single category - and some 6 per cent of Sikuki's total turnover, which is dominated by the long-term container terminal lease. Rasmussen comments: “The economical benefit has increased immensely over the years. Cruise is becoming more than icing on the cake for us. It is comparable with the fishing industry for port revenue but fishing brings a lot of work into the community. Cruise is increasingly doing the same - several analyses point to it generating real growth in the town - and that is something we want to build on further.” The quays primarily used for cruise are Atlantkaj. With a length of 100m and depth of 10m, it can handle ships up to 300m length overall. The nearby Feederkaj has a length of 40 m length and depth of 6.5m, being well suited to the smaller/expedition ships. Both are about 1km from the city centre and shuttle buses can be laid on if required. Also in this location is the new turnaround terminal facility which is capable of handling passport control, entry/immigration and baggage handling, with direct coordination with the airport. In addition there is an information centre with small local shops (souvenirs), as well as toilet facilities. A harbour extension totalling 350m of new quay is underway which, when opened in 2028, will remove all commercial ships away from the above quays, making them cruise dedicated. Anchorage is also available just outside the harbour, in Malene Bay, about five minutes by tender to a dedicated quay next to the Feederkaj. Bunkering and potable water are available but, when it comes to waste disposal, Rasmussen says “We would actually prefer it if the vessels would take their waste out of the Arctic. I know we have obligations but we don’t have incinerator facilities large enough to take large amounts of waste.” In terms of on shore power which is all hydro-generated, it will be considered for the future but he says: “It’s not a priority for the coming years for the cruise industry, although we do provide it for some of the commercial vessels already. It will eventually come.” When it comes to port agents, Rasmussen explains that there are currently two agents, Eimskip and Blue Water Shipping, representing the vessels. On the tour operator side, the main players are DMC Nordic, Tupilak Travel and Greenland Excursions. The most popular shore excursions from Nuuk are: boat trips in the Nuuk fjord, including sailing towards the ice fjord and the Sermitsiaq massif; whale watching in Nuup Kangerlua (typically humpback, fin and minke whales in season); and Nuuk city and culture tours, centred on the Greenland National Museum (home of the Qilakitsoq mummies), the colonial harbour district, Nuuk Art Museum and Katuaq Culture House. Hiking on Store Malene and Ukkusissat is growing with the expedition segment. Excursions are coordinated locally, largely through Visit Nuuk and the local operators. In addition, compliance manager Mikkel Nonboe Sorensen, explains: “Nuuk is very easy to explore on your own. The quays are roughly one kilometre from the city centre, an easy walk, and the town has a local bus network. Museums, cafes, restaurants and shops are all within the centre. Going further afield is a different matter as there are no roads between Greenlandic towns, so anything beyond Nuuk and its fjord means either a boat charter or a flight.” Joining Cruise Europe is part of the harbour’s desire to further develop the cruise industry in Greenland. Rasmussen says: “We feel that cruise is a growing industry and growing in importance for Greenland. Being alone, you have to invent everything over and over again, but being part of a network you can both learn and teach.” SNH has attended Seatrade Global in Miami in the past and there are plans to go again next year as well as to attend the Cruise Europe Conference in Bergen in May. It is also part of the Cruise Islands of North Atlantic (CINA) which holds a well-attended annual breakfast during Seatrade.

20/08/2026

Portsmouth shore power system goes live

On July 19, Portsmouth International Port’s onshore power system (OPS) went live with Aida Cruises’ AIDAsol becoming the first cruise ship to plug in at the dedicated cruise berth, Ayrton Berth, which can accommodate ships up to 300m in length, as part of the test phase. The official inauguration takes place on September 23. The mobile shore power delivery unit is manufactured by Zinus and can provide 12.5MVA at the berth. Supplier Bryt Energy has issued a certificate to confirm that it is 100 percent renewable electricity sourced solely from solar, wind and hydro. Since then every ship with the capability of connecting has done so which accounts for 20 of the 32 calls scheduled for the 2026 season and includes Phoenix Reisen’s Amadea. Of note is that when Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady plugged in on August 5. PIP is striving to become the UK’s first zero-emissions port by 2050 with OPS playing a major part in the progress. Funded with £19.8 million (€23.1 Million) from the Department for Transport and £4.6 million from Portsmouth City Council, it is the UK's first high-voltage multi-berth, multi-user, multi-frequency shore power system that is being offered on three berths, two of which are frequented by Brittany Ferries' hybrid-electric ships, St Malo and Guillaume de Normandie. Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister Keir Mather said: “Backed by almost £20 million in government funding, this is a major milestone in decarbonising UK shipping, placing Portsmouth firmly in the future as it celebrates 50 years in operation. Nationally, shipping is the backbone of the economy, and government is playing its part, investing £448m to drive innovation in clean fuels and technologies, creating skilled jobs, cutting emissions, and driving long-term growth.” As well as improving air quality for Portsmouth residents, the system is projected to help avoid emissions of around 20,000 tonnes of CO2e from 2027, aiding in the goal to become the country's first emissions-free port by 2050. Mike Sellers, PIP director, said: “This is a huge moment not only for us, but also for the UK ports industry as a whole. The clean electricity will have a big benefit to air quality in the city, and it also helps to future-proof Portsmouth port, aligning us with international moves towards electrification for all of our customers, meaning we can continue to be profitable and provide for essential services in the city.” It is not all smooth sailing though as Sellers explained: “There are still challenges we’re facing around the cost of electricity, and we’re continuing to lobby the government hard to ensure they address these and make electrification a more attractive business proposition for us and for ports across the country.” Christophe Mathieu, chief executive at Brittany Ferries, said:“We’re grateful to everyone who’s worked so hard to make this a reality: the teams at Portsmouth International Port, Portsmouth City Council, the Sea Change partners, and the UK government. Portsmouth is a city that has always thrived on its sea links, and together, we’re making a difference that people who live in it can breathe." In addition to the funding for construction of the system, Portsmouth City Council also provided £3 million to secure the power that was needed from the grid. Cllr Steve Pitt, leader of the council, said: “As the first mover in electrification, we have had a number of challenges to get to this point, but the team at the port and all of the partners have been absolutely determined to make this work, for the industry but primarily for the people of Portsmouth. Our priority with the shore power system has always been helping to improve air quality in the city, for those who live and work here.” The shore power system, also known as the Sea Change project, is the result of the work of a number of partners, including Barter 4 Things, Brittany Ferries, MSE International, Swanbarton, and the University of Portsmouth. As part of its green credentials, the port can also facilitate LNG bunkering which it has been doing on a biweekly basis to two Brittany Ferries ships for the past 18 months. Although the port’s existing cruiseline customers do not have LNG-powered ships, the company is in discussions with those that do which is an added string to the UK port's bow.  Andrew Williams, head of cruise and ferry PIP, says: “The shore power project has been the biggest we’ve ever undertaken, as we seek to support all of our customers in their sustainability ambitions, and while we also strive to meet our own aim of being the first zero-emissions UK port by 2050. At Portsmouth, we endeavour to stay at the forefront of the UK’s maritime decarbonisation journey, and so we were keen to be early movers in berth electrification and further enhance the attractiveness of the UK as a whole for cruise operators.   “The system is proving to be a success with three cruiselines already having connected, and one of those, Virgin Voyages, plugging in for the first time in Europe. We have more customers lined up for the rest of this year and into the next, and look forward to welcoming many more shorepower-ready ships well into the future.”

20/08/2026

New member: Tvoroyri

Tvoroyri is situated on Sudoroy, the southernmost island of the Faroe Islands. The spacious fjord, established port infrastructure and surrounding landscape provide an ideal setting for cruise calls. From the port, passengers have access to Tvoroyri and the whole of Suduroy, with its sea cliffs, mountains, valleys, villages, hiking opportunities, maritime heritage and distinctive local culture. Tvoroyri developed as an important trading centre in the 19th century. On August 15 1924, it opened what is regarded as the first purpose-built modern harbour in the Faroe Islands. The inner harbour has undergone considerable modernisation and enhancement in recent years, while further opportunities for development remain around the fjord. Today, the port also encompasses the harbour at Drelnes and the quay at Hvitanes. Although cruiseships have been calling for years, there is a new ambition to develop the business in a more structured and strategic way, according to harbour master Rogvi Thorsteinsson. Recognising the different needs of both varying sizes of ships and multinational passengers, he says: “The landscape around Trongisvagsfjordur provides a spectacular natural setting, while the size and characteristics of the fjord provide favourable conditions for visiting vessels. At the same time, the local community has a great deal to offer visitors through its culture, history, nature, hospitality and local knowledge.” As part of this next phase, Tvoroyri Municipality has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with Nordic Port Group (NPG) to represent and promote it internationally as a cruise destination and support the port with cruiseline relations, destination development, operational advice, international marketing and long-term strategic planning. Sustainability will be central to the development. For the municipality, one of the most important ambitions is that local people and businesses have the opportunity to become part of the cruise industry and benefit from its development. Rather than introducing a standardised cruise model, the intention is to begin with the destination itself: its people, infrastructure, environment, capacity and opportunities. “We want development to take place at a scale and in a manner that respects our nature and local environment while at the same time creating meaningful economic opportunities within the community. The ambition is therefore not simply more cruise tourism, but better-managed cruise tourism,” says Thorsteinsson. “Tvoroyri is not a place created for tourism, but a living maritime town with its own history, economy and everyday life. Our objective is to develop carefully and over the long term. Joining Cruise Europe and entering into the partnership with NPG are important steps in increasing international visibility and building relationships within the cruise industry,” he adds. Historic buildings, colourful wooden houses, the distinctive Norwegian-built church and a working harbour all form part of Tvoroyri’s identity. At Drelnes, visitors will find the cultural venue, SALT, created in a former salt silo, which hosts concerts, exhibitions and cultural events. This year the port received four calls with six booked next year, seven in 2028 and four in 2029, bringing a total of about 5,000 passengers over the years. Customers include Ponant and Seabourn. The harbour has several quays with a combined length of 450m, including two designated cruise quays. The first is Hvitanes Quay, an 180m-long quay located in the town, just 20m from the town centre. It can accommodate ships up to 220m in length. Vessels over 300m may also be accepted following an assessment by the harbour pilots. The water depth alongside the quay is 10.3m. The second is Drelnes Quay, a municipal quay situated at Drelnes on the southern side of Trongisvagsfjordur. It provides an alternative location for alongside cruise calls and is conveniently located in direct connection with the SALT cultural venue. Calls at Drelnes Quay are assessed and approved individually.