News

21/09/2025

Cruise Europe plays a key role at Seatrade Europe

The annual Cruise Europe reception at Cafe Schone Aussichten on the Monday evening (8 September) kick-started the Seatrade Europe week with a bang. Sponsored by PWL Port Services, the venue was packed with about 150 cruiseline executives who turned out to exchange news and views with CE member ports and associates. In the spirit of collaboration, people came together to renew, refresh and establish connections to ensure the industry moves forward together to the future, the theme chosen for this year’s conference: Future Forward. On the trade floor, Cruise Europe and its co-exhibiting partners - The French Atlantic Ports, Cruise Finland, North Atlantic Agency, Cruise Faroe Islands, Adelte, Port of Tallinn and Port of Klaipeda and partners - hosted many visitors to its pavilion at Seatrade Europe. Jens Skrede, managing director CE, says: “We were delighted to welcome our loyal members and cruiseline executives, both to our traditional reception and to the stand. Numerous meetings were held with our members, who reported some positive outcomes which are still under wraps.”

21/09/2025

Hamburg hosts Seatrade Europe in blue style

Seatrade Europe took place in Hamburg last week. The port side venue and host maritime city welcomed over 3,000 attendees from a record-breaking 100 countries and 250-plus exhibitors along with 75 cruiseline brands. On Friday evening, following a soft opening phase, Cruise Gate Hamburg officially inaugurated Cruise Center HafenCity, its newest city centre facility (see also https://www.cruiseeurope.com/news/news-ce-press-1755766619/). At the weekend, Hamburg Cruise Days transformed the Port of Hamburg into a grand stage for cruise fans. With a parade of eight cruiseships on the Saturday evening, an illuminated Blue Port Hamburg and a wide-ranging shoreside programme, the event offered a unique maritime experience.

21/09/2025

CE members honoured in Seatrade Cruise Awards

Copenhagen Malmo Port (CMP) was awarded the Port of the Year at the 2025 Seatrade Cruise Awards in Hamburg in early September. This award recognises CMP’s outstanding performance in delivering exceptional service and experiences to passengers, as well as its commitment to sustainability and collaboration across the cruise sector. The port serves as the gateway to its destinations, and CMP takes pride in nurturing strong collaboration between all stakeholders involved, ensuring an efficient and seamless experience for both transit and turnaround guests. In addition Cruise Britain, together with Cruise Ireland, were awarded the Destination of the Year. The award recognises a location that consistently delivers exceptional experiences to cruise passengers and cruiselines, standing out for its visitor offering, operational excellence, and collaborative approach within the industry. This recognition follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Cruise Ireland and Cruise Britain last year, which signified a shared commitment to promoting and developing Ireland and the British Isles as a cruising region to help bolster cruise tourism and economic growth for both destinations.

21/08/2025

Cruise Center HafenCity brings passengers to Hamburg’s heart

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.

21/08/2025

CE holds its first port exchange & educational programme in Belfast

Belfast Harbour (BH) and Visit Belfast hosted Cruise Europe’s first Port Exchange & Educational Programme in mid August. A group of 13 CE members, from as far afield as Gdansk and Reykjavik, came together to hear about how Belfast operates and engages with the cruise industry. The visit began with an overview of the port’s business, followed by a tour of the cruise terminal and the wider Belfast Harbour Estate, before guests enjoyed lunch and a visit on board Norwegian Dawn. In the afternoon, the group divided into two teams to design their vision of the ideal cruise berth and terminal, before heading to the Titanic Belfast experience and finishing the day with the chance to pour their own pint of Guinness. Before departure the following morning, an open-top bus tour offered a final opportunity to take in the sights and a stories of this historic city. Gary Hall, commercial executive, BH, says: “We truly couldn’t have asked for a more enthusiastic or engaging group of professionals, and it was a real pleasure and privilege to host you all. Your energy, curiosity, and willingness to immerse yourselves in the programme made the event such a success.” David Browne, business development support manager, Port of Cork Company, comments: “The way in which Belfast has grown and diversified its business is nothing short of inspirational. You truly couldn’t have selected a better cohort for the programme, the good fun, genuine engagement, and openness made it both highly enjoyable and valuable. “The close collaborative working relationship between Belfast Harbour and Visit Belfast is also something that all regions could learn from and seek to replicate.” While Marthe Andersen, commercial manager, Port of Bodo, says: “[It was] Fascinating to learn about the extensive role that Belfast Harbour has in the city. In many ways the harbour is ‘a city within the city’, with an extensive real estate business, large areas, various businesses and even with its own harbour police etc. This is very different compared to smaller ports such as here in Bodo, Artic Norway, but still, we can all learn from each other, seek inspiration and develop the various ports’ unique role - both in a city, regional, national and an international perspective.” Finally, port operations manager at A&P Falmouth, Jonathan Winnan says: “It is great to see how Belfast Port, Ruth and her team engage with Visit Belfast and are always actively looking at and promoting local attractions for visitors. Getting the message across to cruise operators is important so having people who are passionate and knowledgeable is a great asset.”

21/08/2025

Bilbao is on track for 2027 OPS as bio monitoring plan is extended

Bilbao’s onshore power supply (OPS) remains on track for delivery in 2027. Part of the overall project is a platform to produce and maintain renewable energy systems to power the OPS system in the port itself, such as an array of photo voltaic (solar panel) plants. This €11.5 million contract is a joint venture awarded to four companies which are experienced in the field. OPS will not only be available to cruiseships, but ferries and container vessels too, with 11 connection points being installed around the port. The cost of the overall project is around €58 million. Looking at those Cruise Europe ports that have onshore power, Bilbao represents another option for ships turning around in Southampton or Portsmouth, both of which have OPS, with the recent addition in Le Havre a possibility en route to Bilbao. In a separate move, the Bilbao Port Authority has extended a 30-year agreement with the University of the Basque Country to monitor the effects of port activity on the biological communities in and around the port for another four years. Two divisions at the university, the Department of Plant Biology and Ecology and the Department of Zoology and Animal Cell Biology, work with the port to provide technical assistance in carrying out the port’s bio monitoring plan and to help ensure the protection of the aquatic systems in and around the port. As part of this activity, the development of flora and fauna communities is closely monitored in the harbour area, together with any trends from analyses of changes in composition and relative abundance of species. In addition, the physical and chemical characteristics of the water column are characterised by measuring parameters such as light extinction coefficient, salinity, water clarity, suspended solids and organic and inorganic matter. A new feature of the extension agreement is the inclusion of the study of phytoplankton with a view to understanding the structure and dynamics of phytoplankton and identifying any presence of any potentially harmful and/or toxic species. Overall, there are 21 monitoring stations in and around the port, including close to the cruise terminal. Overall, the results of the bio monitoring plan indicate that in recent years there has been a positive trend in the maturity of biological communities, and that port activity and expansion works have not had a widespread negative impact on their growth. Bilbao expects to welcome over 150,000 passengers in 2025. In other news, it has also been announced that Athletic Bilbao’s San Mames Stadium will be a host venue for the 2030 FIFA World Cup commencing June 8, and the port expects significant interest for cruiseship bookings especially for the occasion.

21/08/2025

Klaipeda begins construction of its new terminal

The first materials for the new Cruise Ship Terminal in Klaipeda have been delivered and contractors have begun quay construction. Once completed, this project will not only open up new opportunities for the port and boost cruise tourism, but will also create a waterfront space for residents and visitors alike.   “This terminal will become a new gateway between the city and the sea - a place where cruise passengers get their first impression of Lithuania, and where Klaipeda’s residents can rediscover their port as an open, vibrant space full of life. We are creating a terminal that will bring economic value, while also becoming a symbol of a modern, welcoming, and growing city,” says Algis Latakas, ceo Klaipeda State Seaport Authority.   The metal piles for the terminal’s quays arrived by sea to Klaipeda from Antwerp, Belgium, hence avoiding any disruption to daily life on the city’s streets.   Installing piles is a crucial stage in quay construction. They serve as the foundation that supports, stabilises, and ensures the resilience of the future quays against weather conditions. Before these works commenced, barges operated at the quay sites to carry out dredging.   The terminal’s construction has been entrusted to Tilsta which won the public tender. The contract was signed in 2024 when the company committed to completing the works within three years.   The new terminal is being built on land owned by the port authority. The project involves reconstructing existing quays and constructing new ones. Once completed, the terminal will feature an amphitheatre opening towards the water, pedestrian and bicycle paths, leisure areas, and spaces for events.

21/08/2025

Stavanger: working actively together as a destination is key

In 2023, the Port of Stavanger, the city and Region Stavanger joined forces to create the cruise network, Visit Region Stavanger (VRS). Line Murphy, cruise manager VRS, says: “It is important for the three parts of the community to work together if we want to create a sustainable cruise destination, not just for the environment but for the local inhabitants and also for local value creation”. In two years, the network, which brings together 42 local businesses ranging from waste management services to cafes, has established itself as a collaborative platform for sustainable growth. Its main goals are to raise awareness, gather and share data, increase local value creation and develop sustainable practices. In terms of the latter, VRS began working on a project to achieve the national Sustainable Destination label within two years, which is recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Certification consists of 100 indicators, 16 of which directly concern cruise tourism. After certification the destination will be audited every three years. A key part of the work is building strong, coordinated cooperation between the port, cruise operators, local authorities, and tourism businesses. This close collaboration is essential not only to address environmental concerns, but also to ensure cruise tourism creates real value for the local community and economy. As part of this, from 2026 cruise traffic in Stavanger will be limited to a maximum of 8,000 passengers a day, with a maximum of two ship calls a day and no more than seven calls a week. In addition one vessel of up to 600 passengers a day will be permitted. In 2024, VRS reported a revenue of NOK225.5 million (€18.9 million), which Murphy says is not the total value creation from cruise tourism in Stavanger as it does not include all the income that comes from retail, such as restaurants and shops, from businesses not member of the network, and from ship purchases and services such as cherry picker rental and mooring personnel. “For example, there are clothing stores that get up to 40 percent of their revenue from cruise tourism, and kiosks with up to 80 percent,” she explains. In discussions with Murphy and Odd Bjorn Bekkeheien, ceo, Port of Stavanger, it is clear that working together as a destination is seen as the only way forward. “The network is a platform to discuss various challenges and also, much more important, raise opportunities for businesses to help each other and, not least, to spread facts and stories about the cruise industry within the whole community.” Just one example that has arisen from the three-way cooperation is an improvement in the security of passengers. Bekkeheien says: “Together, we have improved the logistics for passengers leaving the port and going into the city. It is now a much smoother operation.” Improved and extra signage has been a part of this. In terms of the local residents, the network has invited them to join local tours, as well as a special visit on board a cruiseship. “We have also developed guidelines that highlight how cruiselines and their passengers can engage respectfully and positively while in Stavanger. This has encouraged dialogue within the local community,” says Murphy. A recent challenge has been the use of outside PA systems on board the ships causing noise disturbance in the city. This use is against port regulations but certain cruise lines have been breaking the regulation. VRG and the port have worked closely to solve the issue. As Stavanger continues in its mission to create a sustainable cruise destination, Murphy believes that it cannot be truly successful unless everyone follows the same path. “It’s important that destination organisations that receive cruiseships work actively with cruise tourism. Tourism encompasses many different segments and cruise is one of them. We need everybody on board if we are to be able to communicate more facts, increase local value creation and be more sustainable.” She mentions there are still bigger cruise ports in Norway where the port and destination organisation do not work together, or the destination organisation does not work with cruise tourism at all. In addition, the cruise lines are a crucial part of successful sustainable destinations. “We would like more shareable facts, access to more onboard visits and information on how much value they create when calling,” says Murphy.

21/08/2025

New member: Lysekil

The Port of Lysekil had its first cruise call in 2014. This year passenger numbers almost doubled from 2,786 in 2024 to 5,611. Newcomers to the Swedish port this year are SeaDream II and Seven Seas Voyager with Crystal Serenity, Insignia and Explora III due to call next year. Whilst the port is a traditional cargo port with no special fixed facilities for cruiseships, it does offer free shuttle buses from the one quay which is 1.3km from the city centre. Named Groto rev 7-8, it is 190m in length and can accommodate a maximum draught of 8.4m. Vis ISPS, the gate is manned with security staff during cruise calls. At present, anchorage is not offered but the port is exploring the possibilities of installing new bollards to facilitate vessels up to 300m in length. In terms of waste disposal, there are containers on shore solid waste, a fixed installation for grey water and tank trucks for sludge. Volumes generated during a recent voyage were included in harbour dues. For sludge only, up to 11 m3 is free. On cruise call days, a mini market is set up at the quay and tourist guides with city maps are on hand to advise passengers of what can be seen. These include city walks and seal safaris in the archipelago. Bus tours to rock carvings at Backa or a boat trip to the old fishing village Smogen are also among the popular choices. The top three attractions are the church of Lysekil built in 1901, the old town where the settlement began in the 16th century and the 1,100m boardwalk overlooking the sea with areas to swim and Stangehuvud nature reserve, explains Peter Eriksson, operations manager, SDK Shipping. The latter is an area of pristine granite landscape with an amazing history, from being saved from the increasingly widespread stone quarrying back in the early 1920s to now being forever preserved as a monument to nature. 

21/08/2025

The CE Cruise Cast: Episode 6 is out now

During Episode 6 of The Cruise Cast, chair of Cruise Ireland Conor Mowlds takes us on a journey through a couple of challenges Ireland has faced over the years - including the effects of Covid and Dublin withdrawing from cruise - and how collaboration has been key to recover, grow closer and come to solutions together. He tells Sonia Limbrick: “Every organisation has to solve its own issues but we are thriving because of the regional support from Cruise Europe [CE], from the regional partnerships with Cruise Britain. Advice, change, support … I couldn’t speak highly enough of it. It’s there for all members of CE.”

21/08/2025

CE is looking forward to seeing you at Seatrade Europe in September

Cruise Europe (CE), together with its co-exhibiting partners - The French Atlantic Ports, Cruise Finland, North Atlantic Agency, Cruise Faroe Islands, Adelte, Port of Tallinn and Port of Klaipeda and partners - is exhibiting at stand number 334 at Seatrade Europe in Hamburg. For those with conference passes, there are a couple of standout sessions for CE. Chair Simone Maraschi will be taking part in the State of the European Cruise Industry: Future Forward on Wednesday morning, September 10. He will also be joining fellow European port and destination associations on the Thursday morning to discuss the coalition’s quest to deepen community engagement. As has become a tradition, the CE invitation-only reception will be held at Cafe Schone Aussichten from 1800 on Tuesday September 9.

01/07/2025

Longyearbyen puts some numbers on the cruise case

Cruise tourism to Svalbard generated NOK361.5 million (€31 million) in 2024, the vast majority of which was in Longyearbyen, which received 506 calls bringing 67,000 passengers. Expedition calls contributed NOK235 million and conventional NOK112.5 million respectively, despite there being less passengers on the prior ships, according to an economic impact study conducted by the Svalbard Cruise Forum. This year calls will number more than 500, of which 480 are expedition ships on turnaround, bringing an expected 26,000 passengers. Transit calls account for just 22 calls (35,000 passengers) with AIDA Cruises and Viking Cruises overnighting. Cruise tourism is estimated to generate about nine percent of the economic activity in Svalbard. These numbers could prove helpful given existing and proposed legislation. A total ban on heavy fuel oil was introduced in 2022. This year restrictions were introduced under the Svalbard Environmental Protection Act. These include: prohibiting landings in protected areas except to 43 sites when it comes to tourist activities; a limit of 200 passengers on board ships in all protected areas; prohibiting the use of drones in protected areas; a speed limit of 5 knots at a distance of 500m from land outside bird cliffs between April 1 and August 31; and keeping a minimum 150m distance from haul-sites for walruses (except for necessary access to ports, buildings etc) as well as a 5 knot speed limit at a distance of 300m. In addition a general prohibition against unnecessarily disturbing, attracting or pursuing polar bears has been established. Distance requirements have been introduced, and one must keep at least 300m away from bears. In the period from March 1 to June 30, one must keep at least 500m away. If one discovers a bear at close range, one is obliged to retreat. In addition, a decision is awaited on whether the Norwegian authorities will introduce a limit of 500 to 750 people on board cruiseships sailing in Svalbard territorial waters. “Should this be implemented in Longyearbyen, this will not only have a negative effect on those involved in the travel trade but the wider community,” says Eva-Britt Kornfeldt, Svalbard Cruise Forum. For example, conventional cruise contributes NOK19 million to the transport and storage industry, NOK12 million to wholesale and retail trade and NOK37.5 million to the arts, entertainment and recreation sector. On April 29 there was a mandatory meeting organised by the Svalbard Cruise Forum on Teams for all operators sailing to Svalbard. The aim was to provide information and updates on tourist and legislative information regarding cruise. “Making it mandatory was to ensure that all operators get the necessary information, as well as collecting all stakeholders and their information together,” she says, while adding that those who did not attend cannot be sanctioned. This year for the first time, the Forum initiated the TemaCafe Cruise meeting in which the Association of Arctic Expedition Operators took part. Longyearbyen residents were invited to share their thoughts on cruise activity in the town with the goal being to ensure that local voices are heard.

01/07/2025

Amsterdam goes live with OPS

Cruiseships can now make use of onshore power (OPS) at the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (PTA). Norwegian Prima was the first to connect in early June. Starting in 2027, the use of shore power at this location will become mandatory. This is three years ahead of European regulations. Plugging into shore power significantly reduces emissions at the quay. The PTA estimates that with around 100 calls a year, this will lead to a reduction of approximately 3 tonnes of particulate matter, 100 tonnes of nitrogen oxides, and 4.8 kilotonnes of CO₂. Switching off the generators also reduces noise levels. Dick de Graaff, Director of Cruise Port Amsterdam: "The commissioning of shore power marks a major step towards a quieter, cleaner, and more sustainable port. This benefits residents, visitors, and the climate, and proves that our cruise terminal has the innovative strength to shape the future of responsible tourism." Construction of the installation began in May 2023 and was completed in early 2025. The Danish company, Powercon, supplied the system, with BAM Infra Nederland as subcontractor. Grid operator, Liander, installed a total of 4.4km of cable beneath the IJ River, connecting a substation in Amsterdam-Noord to the PTA at the Veemkade. An additional 8km of cable was laid beneath the quay and pier decks. The installation was made possible in part through subsidies from the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and the European Commission. A Smart Energy Hub has been constructed on the quay at the PTA. This facility houses the systems of the grid operator, the transformers, and the shore power equipment. From here, electricity is distributed to the shore power cabinets along the quay. Using the cable management system, up to 50m of cable can be extended and connected to the ship. The green electricity comes in part from the Ruigoord wind farm in the port of Amsterdam. In addition to serving cruiseships, there are plans to explore other uses for the shore power connection. These include encouraging further electrification of the cruise chain - such as tour buses - and supporting broader sustainability efforts in the city. Cruiseships already equipped for shore power will be given priority in Amsterdam. With the commissioning of this shore power installation, Port of Amsterdam contributes to the city’s ambition of becoming climate neutral by 2050. Dorine Bosman, Chief Investment Officer at Port of Amsterdam, said: "This shore power facility is an important step towards a more liveable city, a sustainable port, and greener cruising. The terminal’s central location calls for quiet and clean solutions, and that is exactly what we are now offering."

01/07/2025

Geirangerfjord establishes fjord network

Stranda Port Authority KF (SPA) is establishing an innovative and environmentally-focused fjord network connecting the villages in the World Heritage fjord. New quay and charging infrastructure are being constructed in the villages of Geiranger, Hellesylt, and Stranda during this spring and summer. In recent years, SPA has been working to develop and finance land-based infrastructure that meets the new environmental requirements while also facilitating sustainable growth in the tourism industry. “Tourism is crucial for the local economy and is essential for ensuring year-round residency in the World Heritage villages,” explains Rita Berstad Maraak, port director SPA. Throughout the year, new floating quays will be established in Geiranger, Hellesylt, and Stranda at a cost to SPA of NOK60 million (€5 million). Geiranger Brygge will replace the current public quay and private marina. Hellesylt Brygge will be established based on Hellesylt quay, while Stranda Brygge will be established at Stranda quay. All these quays will be universally designed. Additionally, the floating quay in Geiranger will feature charging infrastructure for boats carrying up to 400 passengers by 2026, along with electricity supply to the ferry quay. The NOK50-60 million investment will be made by SPA (infrastructure) and PLUG (power). Local company Linja is the energy provider. “These solutions will enhance the visual and aesthetic expression of all quays, and reduce noise, litter, and other negative environmental impacts. The new fjord network will not conflict with existing traffic, either on land or water, and there will be no need for new parking spaces,” says Maraak. In addition, the new quay in Geiranger will function as a wave breaker, allowing for the re-establishment of a visitor harbour on the inside. This will also make use of the charging and sanitation facilities at the floating quay, making Geiranger a unique and sustainable visit port. As part of the environmental initiative, SPA will test a newly-developed system, The Aquapod, which cleans the seawater of plastic and oil film in the harbour area. “Overall, this means that SPA will have the most forward-looking and environmentally-friendly fjord network in Norway, and likely in the world,” said Maraak. SPA has carried out the ‘Green Quay’ project in close collaboration with the business community, NTNU, Stranda municipality, and More og Romsdal County Municipality. The introduction of new environmental standards in the World Heritage area has led the port authority to plan this future-oriented fjord network over time. Maarak said: “Already this year, several of the current cruiseships will not be able to sail into the World Heritage area. “Experience from 2024 indicates that many ships will then go to nearby ports and send passengers by bus into the World Heritage area. SPA aims to transfer this traffic to smaller passenger vessels that meet the environmental standards. She explained however that: “We can allow calls from all cruiseships that meet TIER III requirements. We accept cruiseships with up to 6,000 passengers. The largest ships calling today are MSC Euribia and Iona. The number of calls in 2025 is 147 [348,099 passengers]. Calls in 2024 were 176 [498,526]. In 2026 we have 133 calls.” Looking to 2026 and a requirement for zero emissions for passenger boats and ferries under 10,000gt, the establishment of both the Fjord Network and quay and charging infrastructure for vessels that need to transition to zero emissions is crucial to the port’s future.

01/07/2025

New associate member: Environmental Port Index (EPI)

Just six years on from the Environmental Port Index (EPI) going operational, the first southern port has signed up as a member: Lisbon. Ana Lourenco, cruise manager at the Port of Lisbon, says: “The implementation of EPI at the Port of Lisbon represents a significant step towards enhancing the environmental sustainability of cruiseship operations. By adopting the EPI, the Port of Lisbon strengthens its commitment to sustainability, aligning with international environmental goals and fostering cleaner cruise operations.” Not only is this move significant in terms of the reach of the EPI (beyond its fledgling Norwegian borders), but also for the index itself as the Port of Lisbon wants to extend data collection to include non-cruise segments of shipping. Even Husby, ceo EPI, says: “We are starting a pilot in August looking at container ships too. For EPI this is a starting point for developing this kind of system. If we can extend EPI to other segments, it will be a much better impact statement.” Getting back to the here and now however, it was in 2017 that Bergen, together with 11 cruise ports in Norway, got together with DNV to develop the EPI. The focus of this was to analyse the environmental impact of ships on ports, with a focus on air emissions, but also to develop an indicator which can be used for incentive systems. “As ports we have a limited opportunity to impact shipowner decisions but one thing we can impact is the economical case,” says Husby. “If we link costs with environmental performance, this could be an idea to improve things in the port. This has turned out to be the case.” While the incentive any one port may choose to give a particular ship has nothing to do with the EPI system itself, the performance score the index provides most certainly does. “The score is linked to an individual port call. If a ship does well on a specific call then the owner gets a rebate but equally if it does badly, there is a penalty.” It is all about seeing improvement which is positive for everyone concerned. Having empirical evidence, such as that provided by the EPI, has also proved itself more than worthwhile in engaging with, and explaining to, communities what may not always be clear. Husby cites the example of Bergen where recent political discussions took place on how much CO2 was coming from cruiseships and why it was on the rise. “To begin with they referred to national statistics which were quite misleading, but then they looked into the EPI system which documents, quite accurately, fuel and energy consumption. At the end they could see that there was no increase in CO2 emissions, even though there was an increase in calls.” This can be put down to the advent of LNG-powered ships, more energy efficiency on board and the installation of OPS. Both Husby and EPI ambassador, Annfinn Hjelm, are keen to point out: “Our aim is not to be a greenwashing service for the ports. We must focus on the positive and not-so-positive. Basically, we are developing knowledge which a port can use to improve their operation, have dialogue with ship owners and incentivise them, as well as educate local politicians, journalists and the community when necessary”. The index can also be a great tool for so many of the ports which have only a small team, and one without specific knowledge about environmental impacts. The EPI has a support service, together with DNV, whereby data can be requested to demonstrate just what is going on when a cruiseship calls. The vast majority of current EPI ports are in the North Atlantic area, but Hjelm is already talking with ports in the UK and France about joining. The pair have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), which operates the Environmental Ship Index (ESI), on how they can develop a future together with just one system. “Although we have a slightly different approach, both systems focus on emissions so in that sense the two are quite similar. Hopefully we will have something by the end of the year on how we move ahead,” says Husby. Extending the EPI’s reach to more ports and other ship segments is high on the agenda and will undoubtedly add to its contribution to reducing the impact on the environment, as Hjelm explains: “Between 2022 and 2024 alone, the EPI network achieved a 20% reduction in CO₂ emissions across its partner ports.”

01/07/2025

Dredging will improve Lerwick’s deepwater capabilities

Significant investment by Lerwick Port Authority into a major dredging project will see the cruise industry among the first to benefit from improved access and berthing at the Shetland port. Following the securing by Boskalis Westminster Ltd of a two-phase contract to be completed by year-end, dredging will widen the North Ness channel to 130m and deepen it to 10m throughout. In addition it will provide extra margin for navigation in the mid-harbour basin, which is required by some of the larger cruiseships accessing Mair's Pier. Mair's Pier itself will be dredged to a consistent 10m chart datum, making more of the available 275m of quayside to be used by visiting cruiselines.  LPA cruise & marketing manager, Melanie Henderson, says: “Customers to benefit directly will include SAGA, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, AIDA, Viking, and newcomers to Lerwick, such as Virgin Cruises and Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection, which are ideally sized to make use of the improved berthing capability.”

01/07/2025

New member: Cruise Plymouth

Cruise Plymouth, represented by Evie Smith, business support officer at Cattewater Harbour Commissioners, Plymouth, has recently joined the Cruise Europe family. Plymouth offers a unique experience for cruiselines and their passengers with designated cruise ship anchorages, just an eight-minute tender ride to the Barbican Landing Stage, managed exclusively by Cattewater Harbour. Upon arrival, passengers will find a comprehensive range of amenities including security, free toilet/shower/accessible and baby change facilities. The Tourist Information Centre, cafes and shops are also conveniently located nearby. Passengers are minutes away from the city’s historic Barbican. In 2024, Plymouth welcomed 12 calls, bringing approximately 12,000 passengers, with similar numbers expected this year. This marks significant growth from 2019, which saw three calls and around 2,000 passengers. A recent highlight was a call from Norwegian Pearl (May 2025), marking the first time a Norwegian Cruise Line ship has anchored in Plymouth Sound. Smith says: "We are delighted to report that the feedback from the guests, and crew, onboard has been 'out of this world' as one guest told me.” Plymouth's operational efficiency means cruise lines can call at short notice. She says: "We can mobilise a cruise call into Plymouth with two hours' notice.” Passengers disembarking in Plymouth will discover a wealth of attractions, from the historic Mayflower Steps to the Plymouth Gin Distillery. Beyond the city, Buckland Abbey and Dartmoor offer a wide range of experiences. While anchorage is the more popular option for cruise calls to Plymouth, an alongside berthing option is available at ABP Millbay, just a 10-minute shuttle bus ride from the city.

01/07/2025

New associate member: Cruise Tours Benelux

Cruise Tours Benelux was set up as a private company in early 2019. With 10 office staff and 15 on the ground, it operates mostly in The Netherlands and Belgium, handling about 30 ocean calls and hundreds of river calls annually. Owner and managing director Claudia Luisini has a background in ocean cruise, having previously worked for a global destination management company, where she dealt with many of the cruiselines. The company offers all the usual services, from pre and post extensions to transfers and turnaround support to shore excursions. Luisini says: “We joined Cruise Europe to give us more visibility in the ocean cruise industry. We are keen to expand this segment of our business, having already been successful with river cruise ships.” One of the challenges CTB is facing in The Netherlands is that of mass tourism on the one hand and a shortage of services on the other. Luisini says CTB is addressing the problem, together with its clients and sub vendors, by looking for the best ways to optimise the services, for example through offering multiple excursion start times and putting on two walking tours instead of one during a half day call.

20/05/2025

Cruise Europe conference packs a punch

The agenda for this year’s Cruise Europe (CE) conference has gathered momentum to include different moderators for each session, new to CE cruiseline executives and speakers, as well as a workshop format in the afternoon. The latter actively demonstrated a theme of integration and collaboration which ran through the few days we were in Copenhagen, aptly hosted by both port and city: Copenhagen Malmo Port (CMP) and Cruise Denmark - Copenhagen and beyond (CDCAB) respectively. CE chair Simone Maraschi set the scene with his opening remarks: “The cruise industry is not just resilient but forward looking. We are navigating challenges but also opportunities. If we embrace transparency and dialogue, we can counter misconception with tools”. The conference began with a keynote address from Felix Eichhorn, president AIDA Cruises, who began by saying that the brand carries half of the three million German cruise passengers a year and has eight out of its 11 ships based on Northern Europe and Baltic deployment. He says: “It is capacity, not demand, that is the growth limitation”, citing Cruise Lines International Association predicting 40 million passengers worldwide in 2027, a 28 percent rise on 2023. In discussing sustainability, he highlighted that: “A one-week cruise with AIDAnova from/to Hamburg to Norway releases no more CO₂ per guest than a one-way flight from Hamburg to Palma de Mallorca or Lisbon.” AIDA began planning for OPS in 2004, developed its first connection with Hamburg in 2017, plugged in 65 calls in 2023 and is aiming for 500 this year. “In Northern Europe, every second call is connected to OPS,” he said. Eichhorn’s final words demonstrate a recent shift in industry attitude: “We see ourselves as part of the local communities [we visit]. We want to be seen as a new neighbour in the neighbourhood, building bridges and understanding what is on hand there, supplies also. For example, in Nordfjordeid, the majority of their revenue is now coming from cruise.” A panel on legislation and policy across Europe began with an introduction from Heino Nau, coordinator International Blue Economy at the European Commission, in which he said that all port activities will be brought into one framework: “We want European ports and shipping to be green, and supported by appropriate funds.” (See City Hall below for more details). Panel takeaways occasionally strayed from the main topic but each had its own value. These included Niels Wammen-Jensen, group vp, government affairs (Europe) at MSC Group, pointing out that “LNG brings down GHG by 20 percent but, to reach zero, we need biofuel and synthetic methane”. Whilst Dirk Inger, vp public affairs, communication & sustainability at AIDA Cruises, added: “We cannot see the market for alternative fuels developing [as quickly as we would like]. We need political decisions. Aviation and maritime: how can e-fuels be brought to these two sectors, and not others?” Meanwhile Nick Hughes, coo Ambassador Cruises, highlighted what is seldom said and that is that the new fuels will have less energy value - and be more expensive - which will “ultimately be fed back to our customers”. He also put in a word for older tonnage, pointing out that one of Ambassador’s vessels has a carbon intensity indicator of A. Royal Caribbean’s Jonathan Hawkings, director, senior government relations UK & Nordics, was also keen to highlight that “ships also go to smaller destinations, that may not get revenue otherwise”.

20/05/2025

Small can be beautiful for niche ports

As it happens the next session was on challenges and opportunities for smaller ports which was headlined by Rannva Troest, head of cruise, Port of Runavik, who explained what has been done to ensure organic growth. This is a destination that is intent on securing and developing its future in the way it chooses, with the community at the forefront. “We have to have the courage to set limits,” she said (see also CE cruise letter April 2025). Hussain Kadir, manager global itinerary planning & development, Seabourn, was impressed with Runavik’s policy of passengers pre-paying before going ashore and hence there being no hidden extras. He added: “When destinations [like Runavik] are inter-twined, it means a lot.” Whilst Sylviane de Tracy, director cruise research & development, Ponant, applauded the fact that cruise revenue is put back into the community, which in itself is also about port sustainability. Craig Waith, country manager Grand Circle Corp, highlighted the importance of communication and dialogue: “What can we offer each other so it becomes a mutual agreement. We need clear communication from the beginning. Also flexibility to change plans if necessary to make things work.” Extending the season and winter cruising are being increasingly seen as a benefit to the region and the passengers. Ponant, for example, offers itineraries in Norway and the Sea of Bothnia. De Tracy said: “During the winter it is a totally different opportunity with different activities. Also Christmas markets. Guests can come back and see a destination differently.” The familiar topic of port bookings came up with Kadir reiterating: “We want a first-come first-serve basis for our premium guests” and another one: “We want something curated for Seabourn”.

20/05/2025

Cruise and sustainability, from OPS to incentives

Barbara Agersnap, ceo CMP, opened the session with details of the port’s onshore power supply installation and future green fuels (see also below), adding: “We will be rolling out a handful of initiatives together with Cruise Denmark - Copenhagen & Beyond, including a visitors’ reward initiative.” Carnival Maritime’s Richard Cooke, senior manager port operations & destination management, reassuringly said that itinerary planning is driven by where guests want to go, rather than by where there is OPS. Right now 70 percent of the Carnival fleet is shore-power ready and by 2028, 25 percent will be LNG-powered. Heike Naigur, senior director sustainability at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, highlighted the use of sustainability as a connective tissue between various stakeholders: “We are running out of time so we need to be in this altogether”. In terms of penalties and incentives such as the EPI scheme, she commented: “I think some of the programmes work well. Across the region it would be good to have a strategy.” While Linden Coppell, vp sustainability & ESG MSC Cruises, said: “I think EPI served a really good service when it came to Norwegian heritage fjords, as it helped with messaging to the Norwegian government. But we need to make sure it is not just another revenue scheme. We are seeing a plethora of charges all over Europe. We also want revenues to come back into port development, whether that be supporting OPS, accessibility for travellers, etc.” She cited the example of Iceland “introducing a hefty charge overnight”, leading to some cancellations. With respect to OPS, Coppell said MSC Cruises had a target last year of plugging in 250 calls but realistically this was nearer 150, due to technical challenges which she said there will always be. In terms of OPS, she was direct in saying: “We still have 450 berths [in Europe] that need OPS by 2030 at a cost of €1.5 billion. We need realistic solutions.” For the first time, the airline industry was included in the conference with input from Copenhagen Airport and SAS, both of whom value the cruise sector as a growing part of their business, with the latter actively putting on extra flights/routes to cater to fly/cruise passengers. Maria Skott, chief sustainability officer CA, said: “It may be a possibility to have different charging vis emissions and fuel from different aircraft.”

20/05/2025

Future deployment and airlift

This after-lunch session focused on a number of topics including the importance of more airlift, especially out of the US, when it comes to deployment. Kenneth Andersen, head of sales EMEA & Asia at Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)which is aiming to be net zero by 2050, spoke of a new cooperation with Delta Airlines, and said: “We are keen to cooperate with cruiselines re adding airlift.” Debbie Holbrook, director deployment & itinerary planning Princess Cruises, mentioned the importance of direct scheduled flights from California to Copenhagen, which are key for the brand. But for Holland America Line, Robert de Bruin, director deployment & itinerary planning does not “see much of a business case for a turnaround port in the Baltic without airlift from North America”. Perhaps that is about to change. Some very welcome news came in the feedback on eastern Baltic cruises without St Petersburg. Nicolai Skogland, executive director port operations & government relations, Viking Cruises, said: “Ratings are getting better than when doing St Petersburg,” acknowledging the huge amount of work that’s been done by both ports and cruiselines to make this happen. Holbrook said ratings at Princess are higher and de Bruin said: “It’s taken time to educate guests to love beyond St Petersburg.” Meanwhile James Langley, operations director at Saga Cruises, cited more calls for ports in and out of the UK as a positive as the company increases its days cruising in the Baltic to 70 this year from 43 in 2023. Adding: “Sixty to 70 percent of our guests are repeaters so we are hungry for new ports but we don’t mind if you tell us if it is too busy.” Skogland highlighted the importance of the port and destination working together so that “not too many ships are accepted”. Winter cruising is now on the agenda in some shape or form for three of the brands with Holland America Line yet to try it. The need for flexibility was voiced by all when it comes to these cruises or as Holbrook put it: “We just need to have a plan B”. Finally a word about the Caribbean and how it may, or may not effect, deployment in the region. Holbrook commented: “Ships stayed closer to home post-Covid but that is changing. We are maintaining our ships in the Baltic region. The decision is intended not to compete with the Caribbean, as each deployment is evaluated and assessed on its own merits”.

20/05/2025

Contributing to the industry: everyone has their say

Luis de Carvalho is no stranger to moderating and the workshop session, devised for CE conference attendees, provided a platform for everyone to share their thoughts. Each table was asked to discuss and feedback on one of four topics: Responsible cruising: sustainability, regulations & community regulations Strategic cruise promotion & off-season growth Crisis management & operational disruptions The digital cruise port: enhancing operations & guest experience With roughly five tables considering each topic, lively debate ensued and CMP, together with CDCAB, is collating the feedback to share with us in the coming weeks.

20/05/2025

CMP and PowerCon unveil the OPS installations in Copenhagen

Copenhagen Malmo Port (CMP) operates the ports of Copenhagen, Malmo and the cruise terminal in Visby, and is jointly owned by the city of Malmo and the Copenhagen City and Port Development Agency (By & Havn) and, to that effect, has a collective responsibility to its owners, the residents and its customers. With cruise being an important segment of the company’s activities and about 405 total calls a year, it’s imperative to keep everyone on point, and that includes high ambitions in terms of sustainability. Luis de Carvalho, commercial cruise director CMP, said: “It is not enough to talk the talk, we have to walk the walk. Approximately €50 million is being invested in one of the largest onshore power supply [OPS] installations in Europe, which is all part of contributing to the decarbonisation of international shipping, as well as emission and noise reductions, while ships are at berth.” The OPS is owned by By & Havn and CMP is operating the facility. Danish supplier, PowerCon, is responsible for the OPS installation, which will serve both Ocean Quay (three connections) and Langelinie (two connections). The inauguration of the shore power facilities is scheduled for June 2. A grid capacity of 20 MVA is available in 2025, which is primarily supplied with renewable energy, particularly wind power. By 2028 the grid capacity is expected to reach 48 MVA. To demonstrate the technical complexity involved in developing these OPS systems, it is important to understand that the cable management system (CMS), which can be transported in a 20’ container, was two years in the making. Peter Castberg Knudsen, partner and CFO PowerCon, together with his team, gave CE members, press and cruiseline executives a demonstration of just how the system works on Ocean Quay on May 6, the day after the first CMS arrived. A trench system on the quayside, with removable black composite covers, houses the cables which transfer power and provide flexibility. “When a vessel comes in, we don’t always know where it will connect as they have different hatches. We can move this system forwards and back to fit wherever the hatch is,” explained Knudsen. An additional 300m is being added to Ocean Quay, but for now CMP makes efficient use of the Oceankaj terminals that celebrated their 10th anniversary last year. Some upgrading is taking place, which includes preparation for EES (European Entry/Exit System), new screens and better utilisation of spaces and flows, de Carvalho said: “We are working with cruiselines and providers to provide whatever is needed to improve cruiseline and passenger experience at our terminals.” CMP is also looking at extending the existing cruise terminals and has also installed an overhead rail system to help stevedores with the heavy lifting in conjunction with turn-around calls. CMP has ambitions to promote and, if possible, facilitate fossil-free fuels. “We are in dialogue with cruiselines to understand their future fuels and energy demands in order for us to explore how we could facilitate - together with suppliers and partners - the best possible setup for future demands,” explained de Carvalho. As far as Langelinie is concerned, renovations including new bollards and foundations, as well as extending the width, are expected to be completed by June 2025. OPS is being installed in conjunction with the renovation. “Langelinie is not just a historic and scenic pier - it is also a very centrally-located facility. This is a plus for cruiselines and guests but also comes with the obligation from our side to ensure that the port can coexist with nearby neighbours. Shore power, but also regulations on sound and light usage, as well as proper planning and dialogue, are key to making cruise calls at this amazing terminal a success for city and guests alike,” explained de Carvalho. In terms of calls and passenger numbers, Copenhagen is also generally seeing positive developments, including the return of the large US cruiselines, after Saint Petersburg was dropped from itineraries in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Princess Cruises are bringing a third ship, Sapphire Princess, to the region in 2026 and Norwegian Cruise Line will bring the Norwegian Sun. Turnarounds will take place in Copenhagen. On the customer base, de Carvalho commented: “While the US large cruise market is gradually returning, our primary cruise visitors in Copenhagen are Germans, amounting to over 50% of the guests. This is a very strong market that visits Copenhagen on cruiseships throughout the year. We are also happy to be hosting ships through the winter and are working hard, together with the entire sector, on shifting from the typical summer deployment to being an all-year round destination.” A theme that was reiterated during the Cruise Europe conference.