Bantry Bay in West Cork focuses on the smaller to mid sector

27/07/2026

Skagen invests in shore power

The Port of Skagen has signed a contract with PowerCon for the delivery of a new shore power facility for cruiseships. “The facility will be among the most advanced of its kind and will strengthen Skagen’s position as an attractive and responsible cruise destination,” says Willy B Hansen, ceo, Port of Skagen. “The future is electric. We look forward to working with PowerCon, Nord Energi Net and their suppliers. Together, we contribute to ensuring that Skagen and Port of Skagen remain an attractive place for guests, residents, and shipping companies alike.” The facility will be installed at Quay 9, the cruise berth, and will have a capacity of 16 MW. It is expected to be delivered by the end of 2027, ready to supply shore power for the 2028 cruise season. The new installation will be a modern shore power facility incorporating the latest innovations in shore power for cruise ships. Long high-voltage cables on the quay will be avoided by using an energy chain system integrated into the quay structure. Ships will connect via a fully electric cable management system. The solution also supports safe and efficient operations on the quay. By eliminating long cables on the quay area, it becomes easier to manage where guests can move and where port operators and service providers can work. This improves conditions for truck operations, supplies, and overall ship servicing during port calls. The design process has also focused on reducing both electrical noise and cooling noise. This ensures a solution that not only reduces emissions from ships at berth but also considers the surrounding environment and daily port operations. The Norwegian company, Plug – Shore Power, has contributed to ensuring that the Skagen project has the right design and technical solutions. Plug is Northern Europe’s largest provider of shore power for ships and owns and operates several shore power installations for cruise vessels. As part of the preparations, the port’s board of directors and its staff have visited several shore power installations to learn from the experiences of other ports and operators. The investment in the new shore power facility amounts to DKK 85 million (€11.4 million) and is being carried out without European or national subsidies. “The port has chosen to implement the project on its own initiative, as shore power is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for operating a modern cruise port,” says Hansen. Although the facility is being established without financial support, the port believes that the ability to supply shore power will serve as a ‘license to operate’ in relation to the surrounding community and increasingly also a requirement from shipping companies. Kim Brondum Larsen, ceo PowerCon, states: “At PowerCon, we are very pleased to have won the contract to deliver a complete, state-of-the-art shore power facility to Port of Skagen. Most of our projects are located outside Denmark, which makes this assignment particularly special to us, as Skagen is very much our home ground. We appreciate the trust and look forward to a strong collaboration.” The construction phase has begun and is expected to run for approximately 18 months. The work includes upgrading the port’s electrical supply, burying cables, the establishment of new transformer stations by Nord Energi Net, and construction of foundations and cable ducts for both the shore power installation and the cable management system. Once completed, cruiseships at berth will be able to shut down their diesel generators and instead connect to shore-based electricity. This will reduce both emissions and noise in the local area. Port of Skagen expects that the investment will strengthen its position as an attractive destination for international cruise lines. At the same time, the facility supports Skagen’s development as a destination where tourism, local community, and the green transition go hand in hand. The port is one of Denmark’s three largest cruise ports. More than 100 cruise calls a year are expected in the coming years. Up to 250,000 passengers and crew are expected annually. By 2030, almost all cruiseships are expected to be able to connect to shore power. In 2025, 146,293 out of 173,745 cruise passengers went ashore in Skagen. Each cruise guest spends on average DKK 420. Total visitor spending in 2025 in Skagen and the rest of North Jutland amounted to DKK 61 million. This figure excludes revenue from Port of Skagen and maritime service providers.

27/07/2026

Eidfjord quay extension enables shore power facilities

In May the 40m quay extension in Eidfjord was successfully completed. “The new length of 160m allows for improved capacity and operational flexibility” says Inge Tangeras, ceo Visit Eidfjord and Cruise Destination Hardangerfjord. In addition, important upgrades to the onshore logistics have been made. Dedicated areas for both pedestrian movement and bus operations have been clearly defined and marked. These adjustments are designed to enhance the flow of passengers during embarkation and disembarkation, while also ensuring a more structured and efficient use of space. “Safety remains our highest priority. Access to the ISPS area will be supervised and controlled during the entire ship stay,” Tangeras says. The new layout has been developed with a strong focus on minimising interaction between pedestrians and vehicles, contributing to a safer and more comfortable experience for both guests and crew. The platform for the shore power facilities has now been completed as a part of the pier extension. Contract for equipment has been made, with delivery starting in February 2027. Scheduled start up for the 12 MVA shorepower facility is April 2027. In addition, this June the Eidfjord Municipal Council formally adopted Visit Eidfjord's Sustainability Policy and Strategic Plan 2026–2030, reaffirming the municipality's long-term commitment to sustainable cruise tourism and responsible destination management. The strategy strengthens Eidfjord's position as a sustainable cruise destinations, by balancing tourism growth with the protection of nature, local communities and cultural heritage, while creating greater value for the local community, visitors and partners. Key commitments include: One-ship policy: one cruise ship per day A maximum of 4,500 cruise passengers a day to ensure a high-quality visitor experience and
 effective visitor management At least 50 percent of cruise calls connected to shore power in 2027, with the ambition of reaching 100 percent by 2030 Continued efforts to attract lower-emission cruise vessels Contribute to reducing local emissions from ships and tour buses Increasing cruise activity during the shoulder seasons to support a more balanced distribution of visitors throughout the year Strengthening cooperation with cruiselines and shore excursion partners to encourage longer stays, more sustainable experiences and greater value creation
 "We believe responsible growth, close cooperation with our partners and measurable sustainability goals are essential to ensuring that Eidfjord remains both a great place to live and an exceptional place to visit," says Wenche Nygard Eeg, chair of the board of Visit Eidfjord.

27/07/2026

Bantry Bay in West Cork focuses on the smaller to mid sector

Bantry Bay Port Company (a subsidiary of the Port of Cork Company) marked the beginning of the 2026 cruise season on April 26, with the arrival of Ponant’s Le Laperouse to Bantry Inner anchorage. She was the first of twelve cruise vessels scheduled to call this year. Across the 2026 season, Bantry Bay will welcome a diverse mix of expedition, luxury and mid‑size cruise ships, bringing visitors from around the world to West Cork. These calls provide a valuable boost for local tourism and businesses, with passengers and crew set to explore Bantry town and the surrounding Wild Atlantic Way coastline. Speaking at the start of the season, Ann Doherty, ceo Port of Cork Company, said: “The 2026 schedule reflects growing interest from international operators in West Cork’s unique offering, and complements the wider cruise activity across the Port of Cork. Together, these calls deliver real economic and cultural benefits for the region, and we’re pleased to see Bantry playing an increasingly important role in Ireland’s cruise tourism landscape.” For those seeking a luxury golf and super yacht experience, Bantry Bay offers both a practical and scenic gateway, with Adare Manor, the chosen venue for the Ryder Cup 2027, just a 25-minute helicopter transfer away. This year’s Bantry cruise schedule extends from April to August and features calls including those from Douglas Mawson, Vasco da Gama, Hanseatic Nature, Deutschland, Spirit of Discovery, Le Champlain, Vista, Europa, Azamara Quest and Insignia, with arrivals from April to August. Bantry Bay Port is the largest long marine inlet in south-west Ireland at 35km. Bere Island and Whiddy Island are the two largest islands in the bay. The Port has recently invested €8.5 million in its marine strategy to aid both existing marine users and new marina facilities. Bantry Bay Port Company is a subsidiary of the Port of Cork Company.