After just 198 days of construction the day has finally arrived: Yesterday, June 9, Frank Horch, Hamburg’s Minister for Economic and Labour Affairs, Jens Meier, Chairman of the Management Board of the Hamburg Port Authority AöR (HPA), Michael Eggenschwiler, Chairman of the Management Board of Flughafen Hamburg GmbH, and Sacha Rougier, Managing Director of Cruise Gate Hamburg GmbH, officially inaugurated the Cruise Center Steinwerder. As a symbol of the close project co-operation between the HPA and Flughafen Hamburg, Jens Meier and Michael Eggenschwiler jointly tied a figure-of-eight knot.
The first sod at the Cruise Center Steinwerder site in Hamburg-Steinwerder was only turned at the beginning of July 2014. The building envelope was completed at the turn of the year 2014/ 2015 and the topping-out ceremony was held in January. It is Hamburg’s third cruise terminal. Not only was the construction on schedule, due to the excellent project management, the total cost could be reduced by 16 million euros to 64 million euros. The so-called terminal occupancy fee could be thereby reduced to 6.60 euros per passenger.
With the new terminal Hamburg is set to further strengthen its position in the international cruise industry. The Kronprinzkai quay can accommodate very large cruise ships, and the 9,000sqm [96,875sqft] large terminal building with a view of Hamburg’s skyline has capacities to handle over 4,000 passengers per call. Via two accessible bridges passengers can embark and disembark. The new terminal can be reached by car or by bus via Buchheisterstraße, which was recently expanded to three lanes, or by ferry. It offers over 1,500 parking spaces as well as shopping facilities and a bistro. Car hire desks are located on site.
Hamburg Minister Frank Horch: "Over the past years the cruise industry in Hamburg has seen a remarkable development. Despite its lack of palm trees and Caribbean flair, the city has become one of the cruise destinations of choice in Europe. An impressive development that benefits Hamburg’s economy: already, more than 1,500 jobs depend on the cruise industry and create added value of some 270 million euros a year. The third terminal will ensure that the economic potential can be maximised."
"I am delighted to say that we can show two things today: First, a great team is able to achieve more than I thought would be possible. Second, Hamburg as a cruise destination has come a long way and is now ready to welcome the very large vessels, offering full turnaround services," says Jens Meier, Chairman of the HPA.
"The new cruise terminal is a nice, highly functional building that offers everything needed to professionally cater for thousands of passengers. The airport can draw on decades of experience in terminal operations and was able to contribute substantially to making Hamburg a more modern and international city. The co-operation among all parties involved in the project was efficient and target-oriented, and we have every right to be proud of what we have achieved," says Michael Eggenschwiler, Chairman of the Management Board of Flughafen Hamburg GmbH.
"Thanks to the commitment of many players, Hamburg as a cruise destination has developed well over the past years. The new terminal will ensure that Hamburg continues to be a popular cruise port," says Sacha Rougier, Managing Director of Cruise Gate Hamburg GmbH.