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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
Category: More News More News
Published: 15 May 2018 15 May 2018

The Port of Lisbon Authority (APL) has begun the count-down to Seatrade Cruise Med 2018 – the world’s largest cruise industry event focussed on the Mediterranean and adjoining seas – and this year, an integral element of the recently announced Portugal Shipping Week.

Hosted by the Port of Lisbon Authority and supported by MedCruise and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the event will take place from 19 - 20 September 2018 and feature a showcase exhibition, conference and a full networking programme.

To date, 29 of the anticipated 150 cruise line executives have already confirmed attendance at this key industry event, including AIDA Cruises; Azamara; Carnival UK; Disney Cruise Line; MSC Cruises; Mystic Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line; Royal Caribbean International; Sea Cloud Cruise Line; Silversea; TUI and Viking Ocean Cruises. In addition, more than 70 ports are expected to exhibit at the event which will also see the General Assembly of MedCruise take place on 21st September.

President of Port of Lisbon Authority, Lidia Sequeira stated that: "To host this prestigious event is recognition of the work we have been doing in the cruise sector for many years. The hope is that this event will give an important boost to the local and national economy of this sector, especially now that Lisbon is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to welcome all the cruise ships and their guests."

As part of the two day cruise event, attendees will be able to visit the Lisbon Cruise Terminal, which opened its berths late in 2017. Lisbon Cruise Port (LCP), operator of the cruise facilities in the Portuguese capital and part of Global Ports Holding, invested approximately €22m a new terminal building which includes 360 car parking spaces; 80 bus/taxi parking spaces; ship stores area; automated gangways; latest CCTV technology and up to seven scanner inspection lines.

The terminal is served by a berthing quay of 1490 metres in length.

The top of the low level building also has a viewing platform providing a panoramic view of the River Tagus and cruise port on the one side and the city on the other. The facilities cover 13,800 sq mts in total. There is also a cafeteria, shops and crew facilities inside.

With the completion of the new terminal, the Port of Lisbon Authority estimates that current traffic continues to grow and that Lisbon becomes an important homeport for cruise ships.

The exhibition at Seatrade Cruise Med will see a mix of ports and destinations, tourism authorities, cruise associations, ground handlers, tour operators, port agents, technical equipment and hotel suppliers showcasing their products and services to the cruise industry.

Airam Diaz Pastor, MedCruise President, commented: “MedCruise represents over 20% of the global cruise traffic with more than 100 members in the Black Sea, Red Sea, Adriatic, West and East Med and Near Atlantic.”

He added: “25.9 million passenger movements were handled by MedCruise ports in 2017 with 28 million forecast for 2018.

“And together, we face the new challenges that the cruise sector is facing, including new buildings, the development of port facilities, the expansion of emerging source markets, as well as new regulations, and environmental and energy related issues. Events such as Seatrade Cruise Med present a platform to discuss these challenges and opportunities and we welcome this event in September as a crucial arena for discussion.”