News

20/05/2025

City Hall plays host to mayor high-level conference

With so many members of the cruise industry in town, it seemed an ideal time to put on an extra event with sustainability, integration and EU policies and regulations at centre stage. Hot off the press was Cruise Ships: Environment & Climate, an initiative by Cruise Denmark - Copenhagen & Beyond (CDCAB) and which was researched and presented by environmental engineer, Kaare Press-Kristensen from Green Global Future. Klaus Bondam, director CDCAB, says: “There are a lot of myths when it comes to tourism - also cruise tourism - so it is important to have a report showing facts and figures, when can we regulate and who is responsible for what”. An example highlighted by Press-Kristensen was that air pollution from cruiseships in Copenhagen causes health costs of roughly €7.4 million which is 0.7 percent of the total health costs related to air pollution in Copenhagen. And that OPS connections in the port will reduce the health hazard pollution at berth by 95 percent. Next up was Kjersti Aastad, city council secretary in the Oslo city council department of culture and business, who reviewed the sustainability policy, opening with: “Zero emission ports are not just a dream but a necessity. Oslo aims to decrease its greenhouse gas emissions by 95 percent by 2030, compared with 2009.” Adding: “For Oslo, cruise tourism is important. Cruise calls being reduced from four to two [in one day], reflects Oslo’s balanced approach for residents and visitors.” Jens-Kristian Lutken, mayor of employment & integration, City of Copenhagen, made it clear that he is keen to see more flights and cruiseships coming to the Danish capital: “I don’t believe we should put restrictions on this industry but work together to find new solutions, for example OPS coming in Copenhagen in one month. I think there is opportunity to expand, for example into the Faroes and Greenland which is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark.” Following a presentation at the CE conference the previous day, Heino Nau, coordinator - International Blue Economy, DG Maritime Affairs & Fisheries, EU Commission, expanded on EU policies and regulations and the new initiatives being undertaken, including the European Ocean Pact. For example, he commented: “For the first time the EU will provide a single reference for oceans across all EU policy areas. With the EU Climate Law, we have already set the ground work to drive the green transition to climate neutrality in 2050. We know the challenges we face in decarbonisation. This is an economic opportunity in our eyes. The ambition is that European shipping and ports lead in green fuels, energy efficiency and technologies. He continued: “A key initiative is the new maritime industrial strategy. The aim is to strengthen the competitive position of the European maritime industry across the entire value chain, looking for positive spillovers and industrial synergies. We have set ourselves a year to consult stakeholders to bring views and provide input and expertise so that we frame it right. This strategy has close links with the port strategy 2024 to 2029, which will look at all major issues: security including cyber, digitalisation, energy transition and military mobility.” Another initiative, and to be presented in early 2026, is the EU tourism strategy for sustainable tourism. “All stakeholders will be consulted to design this strategy. To reach our goal, again funding will be key.” A panel discussion followed, orchestrated by Bondam, with the audience chipping in with statements and questions. Nicolai Skogland, executive director, port operations & government relations at Viking Cruises, stated a goal that many in the room would support: “Cruise companies should be leading shipping and the Baltic should be a sustainable beacon for the rest of the world.” Link to survey: https://www.wonderfulcopenhagen.com/cruise/press-room/sustainability-cruise-industry

20/05/2025

Wonderful Copenhagen pulls out all the stops for CE, even the sunshine

The sun shone in Copenhagen as CE members, cruiseline and executives were shown just a small part of what the city has to offer visitors. From exhilarating rides (or carousels for the less brave!) in Tivoli Gardens and dinner at Kilden to the gala dinner in the stunning foyer of the National Museum, complete with Viking swords clashing and after-dinner dancing (a tradition for many of us), there was plenty of time to network, share stories about work and home and continue to strengthen the cohesive group that CE has become and continues to be. While members attended regional meetings and the AGM on Tuesday, others were introduced to OPS at Ocean Quay, joined the BDP bus tour and relaxed on a canal tour hosted by Stromma. Julie Kalkarup was the onboard guide everyone wants to find: informative, funny and not too wordy! Then it was onto the Design Museum - too short for many of us - and open sandwiches, followed by a tour of Christiansborg Palace. The finishing touch was a visit to the Home of Carlsberg, newly opened in 2023. A tasting of three beers was a happy conclusion to the day and a foretaste of the evening to come. Villa Copenhagen put on a sumptuous meal on the first night for a smaller group, providing a relaxed and beautiful venue to kick off the conference, whilst Scandic Copenhagen ensured conference comfort and great room views for many. A final shout-out goes to Beinir Troest Rasmussen, a young musician from the Faroes, who serenaded us and his mum, Rannva, on the conference day. As always there was plenty of time for networking, giving CE members, cruiseline executives and the press a multitude of opportunities to share knowledge and practices.

20/05/2025

Next stop is Reykjavik in 2026

We might all have had a pretty good idea where we would be travelling to for the Cruise Europe conference in 2026, but there was still a certain buzz in the air when it was announced. Sigurdur Olafsson, marketing manager Faxafloahafnir (Reykjavik and Akranes), and Gunnar Tryggvason, port director, gave us a glimpse of what is to come in the form of a video. Although the date is not yet set, it is likely to be in late May so please do make a note in your 2026 calendar. Most of the CE members I spoke to afterwards are eagerly looking forward to their first trip to Iceland … as am I.

29/04/2025

OPS comes to Cruise Port Rotterdam

After a construction period of 22 months, the Cruise Port Rotterdam onshore power installation was officially opened on 31 March, 2025, on the Holland Amerikakade. Boudewijn Siemons, CEO Port of Rotterdam Authority, said: “After an intensive construction period, we are today taking an important new step in making the port of Rotterdam and the city more sustainable. Shore power for cruiseships is a crucial and necessary part of this.” With the commissioning of this installation, Cruise Port Shore Power (CPSP) is staying ahead of European law, which stipulates that all cruise ships in European ports must use shore power by 2030. The shore power installation was built by Danish company PowerCon in collaboration with Port of Rotterdam Authority, the municipality of Rotterdam, STEDIN, IGUS and project partners J P van Eesteren, Heijmans, Royal HaskoningDHV and Xylem on behalf of Cruise Port Shore Power. In addition to the shore power facility, a 230m-long cable duct has been installed in the quay, along with a new type of connection vehicle. This provides a flexible connection point along the entire length of the quay and hence caters to all possible ship connection points. The shore power is generated by wind and solar. The composite, flexible-use support vehicle is small and therefore easy to use. The cable duct ensures that there are no obstructions or disruptions from cables on the quay. The cooling system of the shore power installation, like the cooling system of the cruise terminal, is cooled using water from the river Maas. The installation involved installing a separate 1.5km sustainable electricity grid connection from Maashaven to Wilhelminakade. Robert Simons, vice mayor and alderman for port & economy Rotterdam, said: “Cruiseships are a valuable source of income, and by connecting them to shore power, we are improving the air quality and reducing noise pollution. That is good for the quality of life and our economy. I am proud of this result and would like to thank everyone who worked towards this.” In Rotterdam, people are working hard to make the city and port more sustainable. The shore power installation for cruiseships is a unique sustainability project realised at the interface of city and port. Innovation, planning, cooperation and safety were central to the realisation of the project. The project was carried out while the cruise terminal was operational and cruiseships were docking at the quay on a weekly basis. In the first month of shore power availability, 90 percent of cruise vessels actually connected.

29/04/2025

Skagen offers OPS from 2028 as call numbers almost double

Onshore power supply (OPS) will be available to cruiseships calling Skagen from 2028. The project planning has started and the tender for relevant suppliers is expected during 2025. The €10 million investment will come from the Port of Skagen. CEO Willy B Hansen says: “Sustainability is very important to us, and we hope to become an even more attractive destination for the cruiselines in the years to come.” In addition steps are being taken by the port to establish a working group to conduct and develop products that underline sustainable tourism, including cruise tourism. The group is being established by local stakeholders and will be financially supported - €70,000 annually over three years - by the port. Hansen says: “Cruise tourism is of great value to the community. This way we are giving back to the community to maintain a positive attitude during cruise calls. Also our one-ship policy on certain peak days helps us to balance the numbers when we have a lot of local tourists, as well as cruise passengers”. Skagen is expecting 91 calls and a up to 194,000 passengers during 2025, which is an increase of 82% compared to season 2024, when the port received 50 calls.
 “It is important that local companies supplying shore excursions are proactive in their approach to off season activities. It is a benefit for both the ships and the residents to extend the season. In some cases local businesses would not have customers if the ships are not calling.”

29/04/2025

New member: Guernsey

Guernsey is rejoining Cruise Europe to help promote its inclusion in European cruise itineraries.   As a destination, Guernsey is ideally located for European cruises and offers idyllic island charm, a vibrant seafront and unique economic advantages such as tax-free shopping.   Following its recent rebrand, Cruise Guernsey is delighted to be part of Cruise Europe, to make the most of what the association has to offer its members and establish itself as an integral port in the Bay of Saint Malo, alongside ports such as Le Havre and Cherbourg.   “We are aiming to further expand our offering beyond round-UK itineraries,” said Mark Renouf, cruise operations and business development manager, Cruise Guernsey.   Cruise Guernsey has recently unveiled its new branding and social media accounts to help capture what Guernsey has to offer, both as a destination and a port, and reflect a programme of investment in cruise facilities.   There are two berths and three anchorages in St Peter Port, Guernsey. Berth 1 has a length of 131m and draught of 5m and is just 600 metres from the Town Centre. Anchorage A is 0.7nm/8 minutes tender ride from Albert Pier, B is 0.85nm/9 minutes and C 1.25nm/12 minutes.    Albert Pier, which is a pontoon with a length of 51m and maximum draught of 1.8m, is the tender pier for cruise ships at anchor. For any ship with a capacity of over 3,000 passengers and having booked far enough in advance to be the first to book, there will be pier exclusivity.   “We can tender up to four tender boats at once, subject to size.  We also have two local shoreside tenders for charter that have capacities of 240 and 150,” explains Renouf.    A port calendar is in place, which guarantees berths booked and shows any changes in booking information.   There is a tourist information team on-site at Albert Pier as well as a bar/restaurant, shop/souvenirs, free WiFi and toilets. New shore excursions are being developed such as seaweed foraging.   In 2019, the Guernsey received 86 calls and 115,243 passengers which dropped to 57/ 37,831 last year but rising to 61/49,957 this year which includes SeaDream Yacht Club, which will call for the first time. Inaugural visits will also come from World Traveller, Star Pride, Oceania Vista and Ilma.

29/04/2025

Aalesund shares its OPS know-how

In the first full year of onshore supply (OPS) being available in in Aalesund, 60 percent of the ships arriving on the 284 calls (189 in 2019) plugged in, with the hope for this year being 70 percent. Ole Christian Fiskaa, port director Ports of Aalesund, says: “The cooperation with the cruiselines has been quite amazing so far. They actually do come as they say they will. I don’t think it would be an option to have this many ships if we had no OPS.” Although there have been the usual and expected technical issues at times, these have been resolved by the port working together with the cruise company calling on the solution. Two large ships can be connected at the same time on the pier with the present capacity being 32MW. Fiskaa explains: “We have three connection points at the pier and we also have a flexible cable management system. This year we will also be installing OPS for a smaller ship alongside also which may mean a slight increase in the capacity." The city has a long history with the fishery industry, the cruise quays originally being used for the fishing boats which came into the centre of the city. It is with some pride and a great positive for the community that “the money we make on cruise activity we now spend on infrastructure for the fishery industry and cargo ships, which is possible because of the income that comes from the cruiseships calling”. The journey to OPS began in 2018 when discussions took place with cruiselines and the local politicians of Aalesund. A 50/50 percent joint venture was established with Plug with about 20 percent of the total €12 million investment coming from Norwegian government subsidies. The cruiselines paid a fixed price per kW hour throughout last year which hopefully will continue on into this year. Fiskaa says: “The more cruiselines connect, the higher the possibility is to lower the price.” There is also a connection fee for each connection, which covers the work of connecting the ship. For new ships there is a commissioning process for the first call which comes at a fixed price. Commenting on OPS, Fiskaa says: “This has been a very good strategic move for the port because we have received tremendously good feedback from the local community, politicians and the locals. They see that we really do work to improve the community and the sustainability of the business.” As far as community attitude to cruise goes, he explains that 60 to 70 percent of the population are positive, 15 percent “tend to have negative views and the rest are indifferent”. The aim now is to try and “smooth out but not grow the main season and show the cruiselines the benefits of visiting Aalesund during the six months of the winter,” explains Synnove Johnsen, port press relations &marketing manager cruise, Ports of Aalesund.

29/04/2025

Runavik welcomes the world into its community

Captain Torbjorn Jacobsen is not only the Mayor of Runavik but still pilots the ships coming in. He is in the unique position of coming from both sides of the industry and, since 2016, has ensured that the money coming into the port is being used in the port for projects, such as quayside development. “The strategy for cruise in Runavik is not just as a money machine. My thought is to have a nice feeling for passengers and for the locals to be able to meet people from other countries. We use money from the cruiseships to also put into educating our young people on becoming more internationalised. It is important to include the locals when we have a call, working closely with tour operators, shops etc.” In 2010 there was only one call to Runavik but then came 11 in 2018, 25 this year and 30 in 2026. The larger ships tend to call Runavik, with smaller vessels calling (on anchor) the nearby villages, which are limited to three calls a year. Each village has a particular theme with the most recent being a grouping of three: Elduvik for storytelling and myths; Funningur for history and legends (having its first two calls next year - from Silver Wind); Oyndarfjordur for trade and industry. Rannva Troest, head of cruise at the Port of Runavik, is keen to point out that the money from cruise stays in the villages and that for every call there is a tailor-made plan. “There is always a welcome event and ‘Ask Me’ locals around the town to assist passengers. This year we will have a mobile information desk on the pier in Runavik. Now that we have experience of last year’s 25 calls, we know we can handle the ships.” This year the season starts on May 3 and ends on October 18.

29/04/2025

Roenne will open a new pier this fall

A new 374m-long, 11m-deep cruise pier is being built at the Port of Roenne, with completion expected in the fall. This new facility will replace the berths used over the past three years, which are needed by other business sectors, explains Yana Grundke, chief business officer at the port.   In addition, accessibility to the old cruise pier will also be improved this year through the removal of the inner breakwaters and the extension of the southern outer breakwater. These measures will significantly enhance navigation and manoeuvring conditions by creating a much calmer harbour basin.   The new pier is close to Destination Bornholm’s (DB) visitor centre - just a 15-minute walk - and about 20 minutes on foot to the main square in the city centre. There are 70 calls booked this year, which is a 150 percent increase on 2015, says Torsten Engsig, cruise coordinator DB.   A working group has been established to explore the possibility of installing OPS at the new pier. Grundke is confident that it will happen, stating: “We will do it, but we don’t have a date yet.”

29/04/2025

Caen-Ouistreham upgrades facilities and services for cruises

This year marks Caen’s millennium and with it has come some exciting new developments which will add to its attraction as a small-ship cruise port.   The castle has reopened after two years with a new landscaped park and immersive experience into the history of both the castle and the city. “As a small boutique port, we can arrange private access to many of our sights throughout the year,” explains Morgan Pravos, cruise manager Caen-Ouistreham Normandy cruise.   A new berth, replacing the previous one at Quai Gaston Lamy, which can take ships up to 165m in length, is due to be inaugurated when Grand Circle’s Clio arrives for a two-night stay and turnaround on June 4 to 6. There will be a cycle and pedestrian walkway at the new pier to connect it to the medieval historic centre. On the Millennium maritime weekend of June 27 to 29, there will be 48 sailing ships visiting the city including the iconic Le Belem.    In addition, it has been possible to increase the navigable width of the Caen canal by 10m width for the end of summer 2026 with the replacement of the Colombelles bridge, which will be welcomed by cruise captains, says Pravos. This will not stop calls for the 2026 season, as the port remains fully open.   The port has a second dedicated cruise pier Quai de Calix for ships up to 175m, which is a second power situation just before the bridge which has an air draught of 33m.   This year, the city will receive five calls, but 12 are already booked for 2027, three short of the port's target of 15 per year. Pravos explains: “We want to provide a personalised experience for all the calls that come to Caen. This includes free shuttle buses, free cycles and tourist kiosk on the pier and a special welcome funded by the cruise club.    Cruise in Caen is all about community : “Investment in the new cruise pier will come from the city because it is important that both passengers and locals be connected to both the port and the city. It's also one of the reasons why we created our cruise club 10 years ago with all the port and tourism stakeholders, to build the perfect experience for cruise guests.” 

29/04/2025

Le Havre prepares for new terminals and OPS connections this year and next

Work on Terminal 2 and 3 at Le Havre is on track for a joint opening in November, while Terminal 1 - which faces the UNESCO World Heritage city - is due to open in spring 2026. Once complete the port will be able to accommodate three ships on three calls with a total of 13,500 passengers. The conjoined Terminals 2 and 3 can cater to 6,000 and 4,000 passengers each for transit and turnaround operations. What is very special about these terminals is that the public will be able to access the open park at the end of the quays and to the Terminal 1 via the roof walkway without straying into ISPS territory. The first onshore power supply connection is currently being tested and will take place at Terminal 2 by June 2025. The first connections at Terminal 1 and 3 are due to take place in mid and late 2026 respectively. Herve Geraud, OPS project manager at HAROPA Port, explained that studies had begun in 2018, prior to any regulatory requirements. Ships of up to 14MW (and a total of 30MW) will be able to connect on each of the three quays. There are four 15kg plugs and a cable management system in place to provide grid electricity which is 67 percent nuclear with the balance being from hydro, solar and wind power, together with a small amount of LNG. The total investment for the terminals, renewed quays and OPS is €120 million which includes subsidies from the French government and the EU and the region of Normandy but primarily comes from HAROPA port for the OPS part and Le Havre Crosieres for the construction of the terminals. Geraud says that OPS is a service rather than a commercial enterprise but that 15,000 tonnes of CO2 each year will be avoided because of it. With mandatory connection due in 2030, those ships that are unable to comply will pay a penalty to the EU if they are not zero-emissions. For further detail please see https://www.cruiseeurope.com/news/news-ce-press-1733929012/

29/04/2025

Tallinn/Estonia is out in force at Seatrade Cruise Global 

Tallinn is just one part of a wider Estonian government vision for both the maritime and tourism industries. The appearance of a large delegation, led by vice-minister for maritime and water affairs, Kaupo Laanerand, to Seatrade Cruise Global demonstrated the country’s commitment to these sectors. Furthermore, Estonia is just about to introduce the €25 million support measure for greening of ships.    “Cruise business is crucial for us. It is great to come where companies have done so much already. Cruise tourists are great ambassadors, even though they are a small part of our tourist numbers. From the government side we are very interested to see big businesses growing more, and smaller players too. We see great potential, also in the maritime sector when it comes to retrofitting the existing cruise fleet to green technologies or to make them more environmentally friendly,” he says.     Onshore power supply (OPS) has been a vital component of its quest to develop different green corridors: starting with Tallinn to Helsinki, a route which carries eight million passengers a year. “Our Port of Tallinn project was the biggest OPS project in Europe when we started. Local company Shorelink is definitely in the top three innovative suppliers of OPS worldwide. We also have large scale automooring systems in the port supporting OPS systems [presently on ropax but will be with cruiseships at the new terminal]. There is also a smart port solution in use for ferries, whereby people with vehicles are directed automatically,” explains Laanerand.     However OPS is not without its difficulties as he pointed out: “OPS itself and the solutions to connect the vessel is easier to make happen. Our biggest challenge is to get the grid strong enough. The connection for cruise needs huge investment. We are looking to the government and the EU for investment. My biggest concern is that, without government support, some ports won’t have the financial capability to do this.”     On the tourism side, Laanerand talks about how Tallinn, in cooperation with Stockholm and Helsinki, is working on how the region can bring back the major cruiselines, with higher passenger numbers, that it had prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “The cruiselines are positive but it takes time.  We are not protesting against the vessels. We are happy to have them. Locals like to see the beautiful white ships and residential areas are not so close to the ports. Estonia is a excellent location to visit.”     On the outfitting side, he says: “We have the full value chain in Estonia to make all interiors required for retrofitting, and in innovative way. We have all the producers and we are already supporting big players such as Meyer Turku.” He cites an example of the new approach, whereby cabins are made from plastic from the sea and there are new innovative light materials that can be used: “We can create a sustainable cabin, but with luxury looks. Our producers have found a way to make each cabin 200kg lighter and, if there are 1,000 cabins to be built, the weight can be reduced by 200t. The lighter the ships, the less fuel, the less port dues, the less CO2 and it is more sustainable.” 

29/04/2025

Niamh McCarthy shares her thoughts on The Cruise Cast

During Episode 4 of Cruise Europe’s The Cruise Cast, Niamh McCarthy of Excursions Ireland discusses the behind-the-scenes minutiae that go into making a successful shore excursion, providing her top tips to colleagues in the industry. She also tells Sonia Limbrick from Dover about her experiences in the cruise industry and the importance of delivering a good product. Tune in now on Spotify or use the following link: https://tinyurl.com/TheCruiseCastEpisode4

29/04/2025

Afternoon Tea for CE members

Cruise Europe is offering its members the chance to tune into its newly-launched Afternoon Teas. These will be online, informal meetings discussing topical subjects with relevant members contributing their expertise. The first one was hosted by Ana Lourenco and CE’s subgroup for sustainability. The topic was onshore power supply (OPS) and 90 persons attended. Port members Aalesund, Aarhus and Amsterdam generously shared experiences on this subject, which continues to gain momentum as regulations come into play.

29/04/2025

CE reception at Seatrade Cruise Global sets the stage for the week

More than 400 people attended the annual Cruise Europe reception on the Monday night in Miami. This year it took place outside in the garden of Santorini Georgios with plenty of room to network and take the weight off your feet.    The atmosphere was lively, the food went down a treat and it is clear that this venue provides an excellent backdrop to the growing success of an association, which is moving on leaps and bounds, both in terms of its business and its members.    During the week a number of CE members took part on conference panels and the CE stand played host to numerous meetings between ports and destinations and cruiseline executives.    Jens Skrede, managing director CE, says: “We will be coming back next year, hopefully with an even larger stand and more partners. We have also rebooked the Santorini by Georgios for our reception, as it turned out to be a perfect venue for us”.

28/02/2025

Klaipeda signs contracts for a new cruise terminal

The Port of Klaipeda has signed a contract for the construction of a €43.9 million cruise terminal.   "The signing of the contract marks the start of a new phase in the transformation of the city. The modern and state-of-the-art cruise ship terminal will not only enrich the infrastructure of the Port of Klaipeda, but will also create a new space where maritime spirit, city culture and recreation will merge,” said Algis Latakas, director general, Klaipeda State Seaport Authority.   A plot of land in the central part of the city and port, near the Winter Harbour, will primarily be used for the reconstruction of existing quays, the construction of new quays, and the adaptation of basin depths to meet new operational needs. All these works will be carried out by the successful tenderer UAB Tilsta and are expected to be completed within three years.   This new cruise terminal area will also become an attraction for Klaipeda residents and visitors to the lagoon. It will include an open amphitheatre oriented towards the water, pedestrian and cycling paths, spaces for recreation and events.   An administrative building is also planned for construction at the new terminal. This will house the Klaipeda port management and control team and the port authority administration. In addition to the office space, the ground floor will include cafe, a conference room and an observation deck on the roof of the building. A new marina for recreational ships is also planned next to the building to address the current shortage of space. Procurement procedures for the contract works are underway.   The design of the new cruise ship terminal was finalised at the end of 2023. The screening procedures for the environmental impact assessment of the potential project were finalised in July last year. The building permit was obtained in October last year.   This year, the port is expecting 63 calls with the season beginning earlier than before with the arrival of Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambience on February 24.   "This early start to the cruise season is yet another sign that ports must adapt to rapidly changing market trends. This year’s first cruiseship not only arrives earlier than usual but also challenges traditional seasonality, proving that maritime tourism is no longer confined to the warmer months. These developments reaffirm our commitment to investing in the growth of cruise shipping,” says Latakas.   The first ship of the 2025 season, Ambience, brought 1,289 passengers - mainly British - to Klaipeda. Almost 40 percent of the ships calling will be longer than 290m.

28/02/2025

Belfast is to develop a deepwater quay

Belfast Harbour (BH) has unveiled a five-year strategy, which includes the development of a new £90 million (€108 million) deepwater quay to accommodate some of the world’s largest cruise vessels. The investment, which will also expand the port’s capacity and capabilities for offshore wind turbine assembly and installation, forms part of an ambitious programme to invest more than £300 million in capital projects across the port and Harbour Estate over the next five years. Conor Murphy, minister for the economy, said: “I welcome the plans for investment in the port and the Harbour Estate which Belfast Harbour has detailed in its new strategy. The proposed investments support my department’s strategic objectives of creating good jobs and reaching net zero by 2050 and will provide tangible benefits for the economy. Investment in new facilities that will advance the energy transition, as well as improving the attractiveness of the port as a cruise destination, shows Belfast Harbour’s commitment to generating a prosperous future for all.” Stage one of the deepwater quay build, which will initially support cruise tourism, is expected to be delivered by 2027-28. Through the project, BH aims to boost cruise tourism to the region, currently worth an estimated £20-25 million to the local economy annually. This will also enable the port to further develop as a hub for turnaround cruises, having first welcomed a number of such itineraries from Ambassador Cruise Line in 2023. Since 1996, more than 1,400 cruiseships carrying almost 2.5 million international passengers and crew have called Belfast. In 2024, 60 ships from 35 different cruise lines, brought almost 300,000 passengers and crew to Northern Ireland. The new strategy has four key objectives: to enable economic growth; to develop and improve the port; to create vibrant places to live and work; and to innovate for a better tomorrow, with the overarching objective of accelerating to net zero embedded across all activities, including cruise operations. This is underpinned by Belfast Harbour’s already existing measures towards promoting greater sustainability in its cruise offering, including sourcing zero emissions shuttle buses, significantly reducing waste that is going to landfill from vessels and working with tourism business and cruise stakeholders to measure carbon emissions and develop city decarbonisation plans. Other goals featured in the strategy include increasing engagement with local communities. Joe O’Neill, chief executive of Belfast Harbour, said: “Belfast Harbour’s goal is to drive regional prosperity by developing the port and estate, so that everyone benefits. This strategy will put Belfast Harbour at the forefront of the clean energy transition.” Gerry Lennon, chief executive of Visit Belfast, added: “This transformative project strengthens Belfast’s position as a world-class cruise destination, paving the way for the future of Cruise Belfast by accommodating larger vessels and enhancing the visitor experience. The new strategy strengthens our shared commitment to innovation and sustainability and continues to showcase Belfast and the rest of Northern Ireland as a vibrant, forward-thinking place to live, work, visit, and invest, ensuring long-term growth and opportunity for tourism and the economy.”

28/02/2025

Torshavn begins new terminal construction

An additional new DKK 70 million (€9.4 million) terminal is currently under construction, adding capacity to the current terminal built in the 1980s, following the large port expansion at the Port of Torshavn, which was completed in 2022.   In a change with the past, the new terminal is being built to service both cruise and international, ferry passengers. It is due to be completed in June 2026.    The terminal facilities will be around 2,000 m2, however, the building will measure a total of more than 7,000 m2, and will also have office facilities for one of the Faroese international roro and ropax companies.   “Most importantly, the energy source for heating the building will come from the sea in the form of ocean thermal energy conversion,” comments Hanus Mikkelsen, port director at Port of Torshavn. “We have used the same energy solution with another 7,000m2 office building that the port owns, thus reducing the environmental footprint significantly.”   The terminal is being built in a split-ownership with Smyril Line, which operates roro cargo vessels and a large ropax ferry. International ferry passengers will access the new terminal through a gangway, while the cruise passengers will be using shuttle buses from the shipside to the terminal.    While the Faroes are part of the Schengen agreement, they are not part of the EU. Mikkelsen comments: “Immigration and customs will also have a presence in the new terminal, as the facilities in the old terminal were less than adequate. It will definitely be a huge improvement for the operations, not least when the new enty/exit system is implemented in Europe.”

28/02/2025

Winter cruising gains momentum in the Baltic Sea

Year-round cruising has been a growing trend in the southern Baltic Sea for some years already, and now cruiselines are expanding their winter itineraries into the northern part of the region as well. Michael Schulze, director of cruising, Phoenix Reisen, says: “Winter sailings from/to Germany are becoming more attractive, to Scandinavia and also into the Baltic, especially in combination with the pre-Christmas atmosphere and popular Christmas markets.” He explains that the prerequisites for such itineraries are that there is a ship on site and that enough passengers can be encouraged “to accept cold and frosty weather”. During the 2024–2025 winter season, from November to March, a total of 11 destinations across the Baltic Sea welcomed cruiseships. Copenhagen emerged as the most popular winter cruise destination, receiving 19 calls, followed by Stockholm with eight and Riga with six. After more than a decade, passengers now had the opportunity to explore the winter wonderlands of popular summer destinations, such as the capital cities of Tallinn (Estonia) and Helsinki (Finland). Smaller Baltic ports such as Aarhus, Skagen, Klaipeda, Gdansk, Karlskrona and Visby were also included on itineraries this winter. The success of year-round cruising was first tested during the COVID-19 pandemic, explains Sirle Arro, head of marketing and communication department, Port of Tallinn, when travel options were limited. “The results were clear: travellers are eager to experience Northern Europe beyond the traditional summer season.” Leading cruiselines that have embraced or expanded winter cruising include TUI, AIDA Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd, Ponant, Phoenix Reisen, P&O Cruises, CFC Croisieres, and Ambassador Cruise Line. While most winter cruises took place in December - particularly for Christmas-themed sailings - ships also made calls in November, January, February and March. Winter cruising presents unique opportunities for destinations and tour operators, requiring creativity to offer experiences that differ from traditional summer attractions. Festively decorated cities, Christmas markets, outdoor winter activities, and indoor cultural programmes, such as concerts and workshops provide guests with diverse and memorable experiences. Schulze says: “I find that numbers of beautiful destinations in the Baltic region give enough reasons to visit them, even in winter. A nice side aspect: you can feel the special joy of the ports, the city tourism and all the people involved because you come at an unusual time.” Beyond the seasonal charm, winter cruising offers several advantages: fewer crowds at major attractions, access to top tour guides, personalised services, and a variety of seasonal events. Passenger feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with one common request—more snow! Arro says: “Encouraged by the success of winter itineraries, the Baltic Sea region is optimistic about the future. Bookings for upcoming seasons indicate growing interest from cruiselines. And there is potential to include even more destinations such as Turku and Kotka in Finland, Kalmar in Sweden and Hundested in Denmark. These cities could positively surprise passengers with their unique winter experiences.” Indeed Schulze says: “We, from Phoenix Reisen, are pretty much looking forward to attract even more guests to join us to Scandinavia and the Baltic in winter time and, who knows, one day we may leave a ship completely in the north during the winter, as some others already do.” The expansion of winter cruising in the Baltic Sea reflects a broader shift in the industry, proving that the magic of the region is not limited to summer.

28/02/2025

Lisbon sets six records in 2024

The Port of Lisbon recorded its best-ever operational results in cruise tourism in 2024. This success was marked by six new records set throughout the year: Total passengers: 763,752 (previous record: 758,328 in 2023) Total calls: 369 (previous record: 353 in 2013) Transit passengers: 591,796 (7 percent above the previous record of 554,324 in 2023) Turnaround calls: 110 (previous record: 107 in 2023) Cruiseships: 133 (previous record: 130 in 2019) Crew members: 288,049 (3 percent above the previous record of 279,090 in 2023) In terms of source market, Europe continues to lead as the main passenger origin, with the UK standing out, accounting for 41 percent of the total passengers, followed by the US (20 percent) and Germany (14 percent). The growth of cruise activity at the Port of Lisbon is also reflected in the number of ships, with 15 first calls in Lisbon, four of which were newly built, including three inaugural voyages. Carlos Correia, chairman of the board of Port of Lisbon Authority, said: “The extraordinary results of cruises in 2024 reflect the excellence of the Port of Lisbon, the unwavering commitment of our employees, and the fundamental contribution of the entire port community, and particularly Lisbon Cruise Port (LCP), the concessionaire of the cruise terminal. Together, we have reinforced our commitment to the best environmental sustainability practices, which are increasingly a priority in Lisbon's cruise activity.” Duarte Cabral, general director LCP, added: “Through close collaboration with the Port of Lisbon and the continuous support of all the involved authorities, LCP managed to overcome obstacles, promoting the sustainable growth of this vital sector for the local economy. We will continue to work together with the competent authorities to ensure that Lisbon remains at the forefront as an attractive, safe, and innovative destination for cruisers who choose our city. We are excited about the opportunities that 2025 holds for us and are committed to continuing to promote Lisbon as one of Europe's leading cruise ports.” In addition, in 2024, Ana Lourenco, director of maritime tourism, Port of Lisbon, took on the coordination of the sustainability committee of Cruise Europe, which aims to promote sustainable and responsible practices in the cruise industry, ports, and destinations, in close collaboration with cruise companies. Additionally, the Port of Lisbon made significant achievements in sustainability in 2024, including the first phase of the €14.5 million onshore power supply project which involves the installation of electrical infrastructure to provide clean energy to docked ships, with completion expected by 2029. And the Cruises for the Community programme which promotes social integration and sustainable tourism, strengthening the relationship between the city and cruise companies. Another notable milestone was the christening of the eco-friendly ship Silver Ray, which uses hybrid energy technology, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent, further consolidating Lisbon as a reference in adopting sustainable practices in maritime tourism. In October 2024, the Port of Lisbon announced the creation of the Sustainability Committee for Cruise Activity in Lisbon, a collaborative initiative that reinforces the joint commitment to implementing sustainable solutions for the cruise tourism sector, involving strategic partners such as the Port of Lisbon Authority, the Lisbon City Council, AGEPOR, ANA Aeroportos, Cruise Lines International Association, LCP, Turismo de Lisboa, Turismo de Portugal, TAP, and Associacao Zero. At the same time, two important studies were presented by the Port of Lisbon. The Economic Impact Assessment of the Cruise Industry in Lisbon 2023, developed by Nova SBE, revealed that this sector represented 0.3 percent of the national GDP, contributing €794 million, a 136 percent increase compared to 2019. The Monitoring Air Quality Around the Lisbon Cruise Terminal report confirmed that pollution levels remained within legal European and national limits, reflecting the Port of Lisbon’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

28/02/2025

Cruise brings €17 million to Cork’s local economy

Cruise tourism is estimated to contribute €17 million to the local economy of Cork, with onshore spending averaging at €81 per passenger and €29 per crew member.  Passengers from all over the world are expected to arrive in Cork this year. Cruiseships, with origins from the US, Canada, and Europe, will make 93 calls beginning and ending - on April 13 and November 1 respectively - with Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition. Conor Mowlds, cco Port of Cork Company, said: "We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead in 2025 and remain committed to enhancing Cork’s reputation as a top cruise destination. Our continued collaboration with local stakeholders ensures we provide an exceptional experience for cruise liners, passengers, and crew.” While Toddy Stafford, president of Cobh and Harbour Chamber, commented: “We’re looking forward to once again welcoming cruise passengers and crew back to Cork. The cruise season always offers a huge lift for everyone in the community and we look forward to what is anticipated to be a busy year of cruise liners which will boost local trade in the region.” 

28/02/2025

Copenhagen has ambitious expectations for 2025, including hosting CEC

In 2025, Copenhagen Malmo Port (CMP) expects to surpass the one million passenger mark on 403 calls across its ports of Malmo, Visby and Copenhagen. This follows on from 2024 when Visby welcomed 170,000 passengers, Copenhagen 818,00 and Malmo 1,700. Calls numbered 192, 280 and three respectively. Last year confirmed Copenhagen's status as an all-year cruise destination, with calls in every month of the year for the first time. The year saw a significant number of maiden calls, with 9 in Copenhagen and 11 in Visby, highlighting the deployment of newer and more efficient ships to the region. Germans were the single largest group of cruise guests in both Copenhagen and Visby, with Europeans in general being frequent passengers on the cruiseships calling at CMP in 2024. Looking ahead to 2025, CMP is expecting 14 maiden calls. Copenhagen and Visby are expected to continue their strong performance, with 850,000 passengers and 295 calls anticipated in Copenhagen, and 172,000 passengers and 105 calls expected in Visby. Copenhagen is set to host 107 turnaround calls, as well as reaffirming its status as an all-year cruise destination. Passengers on turnaround calls are in general spending more money in Copenhagen as well as supporting the city as a regional transport hub.This year will see the inauguration of Copenhagen’s onshore power facility with five connection points at Oceankaj and Langelinie. The facility is expected to reach full capacity by 2028. CMP has provided shore power to the ferry between Oslo and Copenhagen since 2021. The terminals at Langelinie will be fully operational again in 2025, ready for shore power and direct sewage connection, after a thorough renovation and expansion that respects the historic details of this iconic pier. This year is also the year when CMP aim to reach net-zero CO2-emissions in own operations. Luis De Carvalho, commercial cruise director CMP, says: “The strong strategic collaboration across the value chain in Copenhagen, Denmark, and the region will continue through Cruise Denmark – Copenhagen and Beyond, as well as Cruise Baltic and Cruise Europe, strengthening the Baltic as a region for responsible cruise tourism. “In May 2025, Copenhagen will host the prestigious Cruise Europe annual conference, marking the 33rd year since the city hosted the first-ever Cruise Europe conference in 1992.”

28/02/2025

Episode 3 of The Cruise Cast is out now

During Episode 3 of Cruise Europe’s new initiative, The Cruise Cast, sustainability expert Linden Coppell of MSC Cruises shares her thoughts on sustainable cruising, what measures and developments are in place and what influence does sustainability have on the daily approach for cruises.   Tune in now, using the following link: https://shorturl.at/jz0eP If you missed Episode 2, you may well want to tune in to Claudius Docekal of Scenic and Emerald Cruises discussing how to build the perfect itinerary.

28/02/2025

CE’s Atlantic Europe regional committee joined forces in Amsterdam to discuss current issues

Atlantic Europe port and associate members, together with Cruise Europe (CE) chair Simone Maraschi and managing director Jens Skrede, came together at Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (and also online) on February 12 to discuss topics ranging from performance figures for 2023 to 2024 to a booking policy to onshore power supply (OPS) and Entry and Exit System (EES). Committee chair Helena Fernandes (director, commercial, marketing and communications at the Port of Leixoes) opened proceedings which began with Amsterdam’s city council decision to limit ocean cruises to 100 calls a year as of 2026 and river cruises to 1,150 a year as of 2028. Dick de Graaf, managing director PTA, and others voiced concerns about Extinction Rebellion and similar protesters that are becoming intimidating towards cruise passengers. Maraschi offered CE assistance in helping with the political institutions and the impact of cruises in the cities. Performance figures showed some notable increases in calls for 2024 on 2023, such as Lisbon, Zeebrugge, A Coruna, Leixoes, Honfleur and IJmuiden. For passenger numbers Hamburg, Rotterdam, Le Havre and Cherbourg are examples of those with a significant increase in passenger numbers. Member feedback highlighted a significant increase in winter cruising in the region in the last few years. The results of a member port booking policy survey were presented by Piet Vandenkerkhove, manager, Port of Antwerp-Bruges. Based on 12 out of 28 ports showed that a variety of procedures are presently in place with only four ports having a booking policy in place but a number showed interest in finding out more. A variety of cancellation policies/penalties are in place to discourage cruiselines from making double or triple bookings with different ports. Most approve/refuse the berth request within 24 to 48 hours of the call and have a booking window open up to five years. When it comes to clashes between berth applications, 83 percent contact the customer/shipping agent to look for an alternative date. Cruise Lines International Association’s vp ports & destinations, Nikos Mertzanidis, said that rules for managing calls adopted by ports should be clear, transparent and publicly available in English. To the extent possible, neighbouring ports should have visibility of published calls and that Iceland has the DOKK system and a public calendar where confirmed calls in all ports are visible: for both ports and local communities to better organise cruise days. Monic van der Heyden, commercial director at Cruise Port Amsterdam, mentioned the CruiseDock booking policy for river cruises in Amsterdam that could be presented to members. A summary of the most recent ESPO cruise & ferry meeting was given which covered topics such as the implementation of the new 90 percent emission reduction target of 2040, the EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy, future EU budget and funding and an update on the EES, where a new date has been set for November 25. When it comes to OPS, the results of an OPS economic survey are to be presented to members in an upcoming webinar. Those attending the AE regional meeting were taken on a tour of the OPS installation in Amsterdam, where they saw the conversion station and the cable management system, which will enter into operation during this year. An update from the marketing committee and a presentation of the main events that CE will be attending this year took place. An exciting development is that of CE inaugurating its port exchange educational programme in Belfast this August. Presentations were made by associate members: Alexander Napp from PWL Port Services and Gert Dewulf from De Buck Travel. Finally Mertzanidis presented a comparison between cruise regions which pointed to overall growth and a promising outlook for the future. Globally 35.7 million passengers are forecast for 2024, a 12.6 percent increase on 2023. There are 50 ships on the order book to 2028, representing an €37.6 billion spend in European shipyards.