ABP to build fifth cruise terminal at Southampton

Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK based port operator, said it is to open a next-generation-ready and open access cruise terminal for the 2021 cruise season in Southampton and entered in a strategic partnership with two companies regarding its use.

“The fifth dedicated cruise terminal at the port will benefit from roof-mounted solar power and will also have Shore Power connectivity installed. This further commitment to sustainable operations at the port will enable cruise ships, with the right onboard technology, to ‘plug in’ while they are alongside,” the company said in a statement.

This investment of more than £55 million into the long-term future of cruise will strengthen the Port of Southampton’s position as Europe’s leading cruise turn-around port and the UK’s number one departure port.

In strategic partnership with MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH), the Port of Southampton’s newest terminal will support a developing industry welcoming the next generation of ships in terms of size, capacity and technology.

The project has received support from the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) through the Government's Getting Building Fund with an £8 million grant.

Alastair Welch, Director of ABP Southampton, said: “We’re very pleased to announce this major advance in our cruise infrastructure at the port, delivering further access to Southampton for the industry, whilst supporting our commitment to accelerate improvements in local air quality.”

“This investment is a huge vote of confidence in the future of cruise in Southampton and we’re excited to be at the forefront of a growing industry.”

Photo: Projected fifth cruise terminal at Southampton

Papachristou appointed as new MedCruise Secretary General

MedCruise, the Association representing cruise ports in the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas, has announced the appointment of Aimilia Papachristou as its new Secretary General.

The new MedCruise Secretary General, Aimilia Papachristou was Senior Project Manager at MedCruise, from 2013 until 2018. Before that, she had been advisor to the Secretary General of Ports and Port Policy, at the Ministry of Development Competitiveness and Shipping of the Hellenic Republic. A founding member of PortEconomics.eu, she is currently finalising a PhD thesis examining cruise ports governance. She holds a BSc and a MSc in Shipping, Trade and Transport, University of the Aegean, and is a maritime economist with significant experience in port economics, management and policy. Aimilia’s appointment has seen her stepping down as Business Consultant on cruise-rail integration of the railway company of Greece, TRAINOSE S.A.

Aimilia Papachristou replaces Jordi Caballé who has served MedCruise as Secretary General, since February 2018.
MedCruise President, Aris Batsoulis, stated: “We are confident that the Association will benefit from Aimilia’s expertise and, along with the continuation of the excellent work of the Secretariat, she will advance further in benefiting our members. We would like to thank Jordi for his professionalism and excellent work during the three years that served the Association. We wish him every success to his future plans."

GPH in agreement to operate Taranto port, subsidiary plans to issue rouble bonds

 

Global Ports Holding (GPH), the Istanbul based company that is the world’s largest cruise port operator, has signed an agreement in principle to operate the nascent cruise port of Taranto in Italy, while a fully owned subsidiary company has filed a shelf registration programme in Moscow allowing it to issue rouble denominated bonds.

The agreement to operate cruise facilities in Taranto, which is perhaps best known for its naval base, will run for 20 years. “The cruise port infrastructure in Taranto is currently undergoing a state funded, c€28m investment program, including the building of a new cruise terminal. The construction of these new facilities is expected to be completed by the end of 2020,” the company said in a statement.

GPH and the port authority will now work towards agreeing the terms of a concession agreement. “Following the successful execution of the concession agreement, GPH will use its global expertise and operating model to manage the cruise port operations in Taranto. The concession is expected to start in Q1 2021,” the company said. In 2019, the Taranto Cruise Port welcomed about 9,000 cruise passengers

Meanwhile, GPH has announced that Vostochnaya Stevedoring Limited Liability Company (VSC) that is 100% owned by GPH, has registered a Rouble-denominated Bond Programme with the Moscow Exchange. “The Programme, which will be commenced only if market conditions present a suitable opportunity for such a step, provides VSC with the potential to issue bonds, over an unlimited  period of time, for a total amount of up to RUB 30 billion with a maturity of up to 10 years,” GPH said.

Smart terminals for Valencia Cruise Port

Global Ports Holding Plc, the world's largest independent cruise port operator, has announced that, its partner Baleària Group has been awarded a 35-year concession agreement for the ferry and cruise port of Valencia, with a 15-year extension option. As part of this agreement, GPH will operate and manage Valencia Cruise Port throughout the period of the concession. All parties will now work together to conclude the agreement, full closure and commencement of the agreement is expected in Q1 2021.

Under the terms of the agreement, Baleària will invest up to $37 million into the port infrastructure, including two new state of the art smart terminals, as well as investment into ferry piers, car parking and retail and F&B areas. Operating 19 cruise ports in 13 countries, GPH will bring its expertise to the project and its commitment to a more sustainable cruise offer with less environmental impact. The concession is expected to start in Q1 2021, with the expected two-year investment phase starting at the same time.

The new terminals will set a new benchmark for sustainability in the passenger transport industry, producing 100% of their electricity needs from their own renewable energy source’s (photovoltaic, wind, renewable hydrogen and biofuel), with all waste generated being recycled.

In 2019, the port of Valencia received 203 cruise calls and welcomed 435,000 cruise passengers, with a pre Covid-19 forecast of over 500,000 passengers in 2020.

Emre Sayin, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are very grateful to Valencia Port Authority for placing their trust in GPH as the operator of Valencia Cruise Port. The project presented by our partners, Baleària Group, in collaboration with GPH, will set a new benchmark for excellence and sustainability in the passenger transport industry.

Valencia Cruise Port is an important addition to our cruise port network, further strengthening our presence and capabilities in Iberia and the West Med. We very much look forward to growing cruise passenger volumes in Valencia in a sustainable and responsible way.”

Valeria Mangiarotti appointed as MedCruise Senior Vice President

Valeria Mangiarotti, representing the Port Network Authority of the Sardinian Sea (IT), has been appointed Senior Vice President of MedCruise, effective from the end of October 2020. Valeria Mangiarotti will continue to develop the position of Director of Sustainability and Environmental Issues, which she has actively held since 2017. This announcement follows the appointment of the new President, Aris Batsoulis.

Valeria Mangiarotti has an honorary experience within the prestigious Association of Mediterranean Cruises Ports, she was Vice President from 2005-2008 and was a member of the board of directors holding the position of environment director from 2008-2011. In 2013 she became the Association's Environmental Delegate, attending many international environmental conferences as a speaker, and since October 2017 she has been the Director of Sustainability and Environmental Issues. Since November 2018 she has represented Assoporti and MedCruise on ESPO's environmental committee. In addition, in February 2019 she was appointed by the Director of Directorate – General for Mobility and Transport European Commission - as a member of the European Commissionʼs expert group “Sub group of Sustainable ports”. Valeria Mangiarotti has been leading MedCruise's “Energy Efficiency and Environmental Sustainability Working Group” since September 2020.

Following her appointment, Valeria Mangiarotti said: “It is a great honour to accept the position of Senior Vice President of MedCruise which the President and Board of Directors have offered me at this uncertain time for the cruise industry. My commitment will be to promote the Association and continue to fulfill my duty to the environment, which is not only our present but also our near future.”

Valeria Mangiarotti is the Marketing Manager of the Port Network Authority of the Sardinian Sea (ADSP “Autorità di Sistema Portuale del Mare di Sardegna”). She started her professional career in the Port of Cagliari in 2002 and has been involved in the cruise industry since 2004. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in law from the Catholic University of Milan (Italy) and became a lawyer in 1992 at the Court of Appeal of Milan. She completed a Master's degree in common law at the London School of Economics (UK). Since 2013 she is also a member of the board of the Bank of Italy.