Ports & destinations

Port of Los Angeles solicits proposals to develop and operate cruise terminals

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 28 June 2024 28 June 2024

In another significant step in the enhancement of the LA Waterfront, the Port of Los Angeles has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the construction and operation of a new Outer Harbor Cruise Terminal, and redevelopment and operation of the existing World Cruise Center. Proposals are due by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

“We have seen increased demand for cruises out of the LA Waterfront over the last several years, with a record 1.3 million cruise passengers in 2023,” said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. “With more growth forecast, these projects will allow us to greatly expand our cruise business capacity while providing the best possible experience and convenience for cruise travelers.”

Each cruise ship calling at the Port of Los Angeles generates more than $1 million in local economic activity. The last two years, more than 200 cruise ships called in L.A. Over the next five years, additional growth in cruise passengers and local economic impact is expected with larger ships of 4,000+ passenger capacity continually calling at the Port.

The proposed new Outer Harbor Cruise Terminal site – a cornerstone project in the recently approved San Pedro Waterfront Connectivity Plan – is located at 3011 Dave Arian Way in San Pedro and includes Berths 46 to 50.

The site consists of 13 acres of backland, two existing wharves, and 20 acres of associated potential off-site parking with an estimated 2,300 spaces. For this new proposed terminal, the Port is seeking a flexible design to accommodate a variety of additional non-cruise revenue-producing uses in the off-season, such as filming, conferences and events.

The existing World Cruise Center to be redeveloped is located at 100 Swinford Street in San Pedro. The terminal site consists of 22 acres, including parking, two cruise berths (Berths 90-93), two terminal buildings and a baggage handling structure.

“Over the past 20 years, our Port has invested over $1 billion in enhancing, operating and programming LA Waterfront infrastructure,” said Mike Galvin, the Port’s Director of Waterfront and Commercial Real Estate Development. “These two proposed cruise terminal projects represent the next stage of that investment, and the continued transformation of the waterfront into a dynamic and multi-use visitor destination.”

Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Port, the LA Waterfront consists of more than 400 acres and eight miles of prime waterfront property, connecting visitors and local harbor communities to the waterfront with active and vibrant recreational and commercial attractions.

Read the full RFP here. Interested firms can tour the two cruise terminal locations on 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23 by registering here. Proposals are due by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

PortMiami is shore power ready

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 19 June 2024 19 June 2024

On June 17, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava celebrated the launch of shore power at PortMiami. Shore power allows cruise ships to turn off their engines and plug into landside electrical power while docked, resulting in reduced emissions and noise. When ships are berthed, they need electricity for lights, refrigeration, operating equipment, and other vessel functions.

“As Mayor, I vowed to protect our environment; shore power has been my personal dream and initiative. We embarked on this journey in 2021, thanks to an innovative partnership with our major cruise line partners and Florida Power & Light Company,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Shore power is a great example of progress in tourism and clean energy converging. Together, we are creating jobs, expanding our economy, and preparing to meet the dynamic needs of tomorrow.”

A partnership between Miami-Dade County, Carnival Corporation & plc, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Royal Caribbean Group, Virgin Voyages, and Florida Power & Light Company, PortMiami is the first major cruise port on the U.S. eastern seaboard offering shore power capability at five cruise berths. In the coming year, 21 cruise ships will be outfitted for shore power and connect in Miami. The seaport will have more than 350 vessel calls plugging into the shore power system.

“We are committed to being a sustainable global gateway,” said Hydi Webb, PortMiami Director and CEO. “We thank our Mayor, County Commissioners, and port partners for their continued support of our resilience initiatives.”

Plugging into shoreside electricity allows cruise ship engines to be switched off, reducing emissions by up to 98 percent. The annual emission reduction estimate associated with the connection to shore power at one terminal is equivalent to the emission reduction associated with the removal of 7,500 cars from the road.

Miami-Dade County’s mission is to operate one of Florida’s most active seaports in a way that supports economic development and sustainability. PortMiami has a $4.2 billion capital improvement program centered around NetZero efforts.

AD Ports Group and Red Sea Port Authority sign three concession agreements to strengthen Egypt’s cruise tourism

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 12 June 2024 12 June 2024

AD Ports Group, a leading global facilitator of logistics, industry and trade today signed a definitive concession agreement with the Red Sea Ports Authority (RSPA) to develop, operate and manage three cruise terminals at Safaga, Hurghada, and Sharm El Sheikh ports.

AD Ports Group’s total investment of USD 4.7 million over the next 15 years will cover management and operations of the three cruise terminals - expected to be operational in 2025 - to provide new services, improve access for cruise operators and add new itineraries through the Group’s cruise terminal network in the red sea. This agreement further strengthens AD Ports Group’s cruise business in the Red Sea region, supports volumes of cruise passengers and elevates passenger and cruise experiences.

The definitive agreement was signed at the Egyptian Cabinet headquarters in Cairo in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Egypt’s Prime Minister, His Excellency Lieutenant-General Eng. Kamel El Wazir, Egypt’s Minister of Transport; Her Excellency Mariam Al Kaabi, Ambassador of the UAE to Egypt, and Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group, by Ahmed Al Mutawa, Regional CEO, AD Ports Group; and Major General Osama Saleh, Vice- Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Red Sea Port Authority.

Furthermore, AD Ports Group and the General Authority of the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) initialled two 30-year concession agreements for the development, management, and operations of a Ro-Ro terminal and a cruise terminal at Sokhna Port.

Captain Mohammed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group, said: “We’re happy to build upon our initial agreement signed earlier in January. Today’s signings reaffirm our commitment to bolstering the cruise tourism sector in the Red Sea, through providing world-class facilities and services to passengers, while further strengthening bilateral ties between the UAE and Egypt, in line with the vision of our wise leadership.”

He added: “Sokhna is strategically positioned on the western shore of the Gulf of Suez. We are keen on collaborating with our partners at the General Authority of the Suez Canal Economic Zone to fulfil the region’s requirement for prime Cruise and Ro-Ro services.”

The agreements reaffirm strong bilateral ties between the two nations and follow a definitive concession agreement signed in December 2023 with the Red Sea Ports Authority (“RSPA”) for the development and operations of a multi-purpose terminal at Safaga Port, bound to be the first internationally operated port serving the Upper Egypt region with investment of US$ 200 million made over three years.

County Administrator appoints Joseph Morris as new Port Director of Port Everglades

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 18 June 2024 18 June 2024

On June 18, 2024, the Broward County Commission confirmed the County Administrator's appointment of Joseph Morris as Port Director of Broward County's Port Everglades Department.

Morris currently serves as the Port Director for the Massachusetts Port Authority where he has worked for four years, originally as Deputy Port Director of Operations. He is expected to begin at Port Everglades on July 15, 2024.

"As one of the leading economic engines in Broward County, it is essential that we continue to have a strong leader at the helm of Port Everglades. Joe was selected after an exhaustive national search that included input from a variety of port stakeholders. Joe is a visionary who brings vast international experience and understands the vital economic role that a seaport plays in a community," said Broward County Administrator Monica Cepero. "Joe has proven to be an exceptional leader throughout his private sector and public service career in the port industry, with more than 25 years of diverse experience in seaport, transportation, government, and business management."

At Port Everglades, Morris will oversee the seaport's vast maritime business that generates more than $26.5 billion in economic activity statewide annually, supports nearly 11,000 local direct jobs, and results in more than $925 million in state and local taxes.

"The County and Port Everglades have an unparalleled reputation for cultivating an inclusive economic environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed, and I'm looking forward to joining the staff and its community partners in advancing the Port's position locally, regionally, and globally," said Morris.

During his time at the Massachusetts Port Authority, Morris has been responsible for managing cargo and cruise operations, multiple real estate properties, five public parks, and public access properties. He steers business development efforts, including the first new shipping line to call Boston home in more than seven years, and develops capital investment plans. Morris also oversees 51 staff in the Massport Police Department, responsible for port facility security at terminals (cruise, container) as well as in the public domain (parks, and areas of South Boston). Morris has worked with government authorities representing multiple countries including Costa Rica, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Great Britain, and led teams responsible for planning vessel, rail, gate, and yard operations for the largest container terminal in the United States of America, APM Terminals Los Angeles.

Morris has a bachelor's degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. He also holds a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification and successfully completed the MAGNUM and MAGNET accelerated leadership training programs through APM Terminals.

Port of HaminaKotka to open cruise ship season next week

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 07 June 2024 07 June 2024

The international cruise ship season for the Port of HaminaKotka will commence next Monday, when the Deutschland of Phoenix Reisen will arrive at Kantasatama in Kotka. The new cruise ship season will not be quite as busy as in the past couple of years, because after St Petersburg is no longer included in the itinerary of cruise line companies, the biggest cruise ships have withdrawn from the Baltic Sea to other markets for the time being.

During the cruise ship season of 2024, all ships will call at Kantasatama in Kotka. Some of the cruise ships have been to the Port of HaminaKotka before and some are making their inaugural call.

“Our long-term sales efforts have paid off, as we have succeeded in attracting not only so-called regular visitors, but also ships that visit HaminaKotka for the first time,” says Petra Cranston, Project Manager, Cruise Business, of Port of HaminaKotka Ltd.

Despite the transition of the cruise market in the Baltic Sea region, the Port of HaminaKotka, together with other cruise ports on the Gulf of Finland, has succeeded in enhancing the attractiveness of the region among cruise line companies. Decisions in the international cruise business are made with a perspective of two to three years ahead, which is why the market is expected to pick up more distinctly from 2026 onwards.

Cruise ships calling at the Port of HaminaKotka in 2024:

10 June Deutschland
9 July Seven Seas Navigator
9 August Hebridean Sky
18 August Azamara Onward
11 September Sirena
28 September Sirena

The information is subject to change.