Ports & destinations

Global Ports Holding reveals latest updates on its West Med cruise ports

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 09 April 2023 09 April 2023

Global Ports Holding (GPH), the world's largest cruise port operator, announced the latest updates on its ongoing projects in the West Mediterranean region during a Regional Reception as part of the Seatrade Cruise Global event on March 29th. The event showcased GPH's commitment to providing state-of-the-art cruise ports that prioritize sustainability and guest experience, and highlighted project updates on Alicante, Las Palmas, and Tarragona Cruise Ports, as well as news on Global Ports Services.

Javier Rodriguez Sanchez, Regional Director West Med & Asia, provided an update on GPH's newest addition to their network, Alicante Cruise Port. Under a 15-year concession agreement, GPH is set to welcome its first call on March 27th. With a planned investment of up to EUR 2.0m, the cruise terminal will undergo refurbishment and modernization to include new F&B and retail areas that will enhance cruise guest experience. Alicante is set to experience a record-breaking year for turnaround passengers in 2023, with interporting regular itineraries.

Alba Colet, Commercial Manager of Tarragona Cruise Port, shared the latest developments regarding the port. GPH started operations in Tarragona in April 2022 and plans to build a new state-of-the-art modular cruise terminal that will utilize solar power to ensure the sustainable provision of the terminal's energy needs. Tarragona is located only 55 minutes south of Barcelona airport, and construction of the new cruise terminal is expected to start in Q2 2023 and be finalized in May 2024. Tarragona is set to reach turnaround passenger records during the 2023 season with interporting regular itineraries.

Susana Gutierrez, Interim General Manager of Las Palmas Cruise Ports, provided an update on the three ports in the Canary Islands: Las Palmas, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote Cruise Ports. GPH, together with its local partner, started operations at the three cruise ports in October 2022. The project includes the construction of new cruise terminals in all three ports, with the largest one in Las Palmas. The project features a 14,400m2 terminal build from sustainable recycled materials to achieve low carbon footprint that will be able to provide smoother homeporting and transit operations at one of the busiest ports in Spain. With an ability to handle the largest cruise ships in the world simultaneously, the port will have new retail and F&B experiences, 40 bus capacity, and an improved operational structure. Construction of new cruise terminals in Las Palmas, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote will start in Q2 2023 and be finalized in March-May 2024 for Fuerteventura and Lanzarote and May 2025 for Las Palmas. Passenger volumes are set to rebound strongly in 2023, with an average increase of +20% expected across the three islands.

Jordi Guillem, Manager of Global Ports Services presented an overview of the company's offerings, which include integrated port services packages to cruise lines in all GPH ports and non-GPH ports worldwide, creating synergies. He also mentioned that the company is in its second season of providing port and ground agency services to cruise lines as part of their integrated service project model in Barcelona and all other Spanish and Portuguese ports. Additionally, Global Ports Services plans to expand its port and ground agency services within the ports under their network in Spain. For the first time, Global Ports Services provided turnaround services in Barcelona for Virgin, marking an exciting development for the company. In addition, GPCI was awarded the entrepreneurship award.

Javier Rodriguez Sanchez, Regional Director West Med & Asia said "We are proud to continue our commitment to sustainable and state-of-the-art cruise ports in the West Mediterranean region, providing exceptional guest experiences. Our ongoing projects in Alicante, Las Palmas, and Tarragona Cruise Ports, as well as exciting updates on Global Ports Services, demonstrate Global Ports Holding's dedication to meeting the evolving needs of the cruise industry and exceeding expectations."

GPH Americas ports provide progress reports at Seatrade Cruise Global

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 04 April 2023 04 April 2023

Global Ports Holding Plc (GPH), the world's largest cruise port operator, highlighted the exciting changes underway at each of its ports in the Americas during Seatrade Cruise Global 2023. Company executives shared updates from Antigua Cruise Port in Antigua & Barbuda, Nassau Cruise Port in The Bahamas, San Juan Cruise Port in Puerto Rico, and Prince Rupert Cruise Port in British Columbia, Canada.

Dona Regis Prosper, General Manager of Antigua Cruise Port, confirmed that Antigua officially commissioned the fifth berth on December 6, 2022 – a major step forward in enhancing capacity on the beautiful Caribbean island which boasts 365 beaches. Antigua also launched homeporting operations in January 2023 and successfully completed the homeporting season with P&O Arvia in March. Antigua Cruise Port is quickly becoming a popular homeport for luxury cruise lines seeking to explore the Caribbean with passengers who desire exclusive and unique sailing experiences.

Mike Maura Jr., Regional Director for GPH Americas and CEO of Nassau Cruise Port, communicated that Nassau, the busiest transit port in the world, recently set a new one-day passenger record of 28,554 passengers aboard six cruise ships in February 2023. This massive number was made directly possible by the recent expansion of the berths to accommodate more and larger ships as a part of its ongoing $250 million-plus redevelopment project. Nassau will launch its highly anticipated Authentically Bahamian retail, dining, and cultural experience in May 2023. This transformative new addition to the downtown waterfront will include a state-of-the-art arrivals terminal, an immersive Junkanoo Museum experience, a 3,000-person amphitheatre, new shopping and F&B outlets, and much more.

Federico Gonzalez, General Manager of San Juan Cruise Port - the gateway to the eastern and southern Caribbean - shared that GPH has signed an agreement to upgrade, expand, and manage the cruise piers in San Juan. The $425 million project, which will start following the financial close of the concession, will include the repair and refurbishment of the existing port facilities and construction of a state-of-the-art cruise terminal. These enhancements will support the growth of the destination as San Juan “cruises into the future” by welcoming the world's largest cruise ships.

Kevin D’Costa, General Manager of Prince Rupert Cruise Port noted that GPH has signed a 10-year concession agreement with a 10-year extension option to manage cruise services at Prince Rupert Cruise Port in British Columbia. Only 40 miles from Alaska, this destination is the first GPH-managed cruise port in North America. Here, GPH will focus on strengthening and expanding the shore excursion capabilities of the destination by supporting the development of related opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

Mike Maura Jr., Regional Director of GPH Americas stated “This is truly an incredible period of growth for our company and especially for our regional ports. The investments being made in these destinations will enhance the experience for millions of cruise passengers each year and provide a boost in economic activity in the surrounding communities. These investments have been strategically designed to support the holistic development of each destination and clearly show why GPH is the world’s largest port operator. At GPH, we consistently combine our global mindset with a uniquely local approach in each port destination that we serve. We are not simply a cruise port operator and developer - we are capable and willing partners in community development.”

GPH currently manages 27 ports in 14 countries.

Grenada Tourism Authority reports successful Seatrade Cruise Global

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 06 April 2023 06 April 2023

Senior officials of the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) recently attended the Seatrade Cruise Global Conference, the largest cruise industry event in the world, from March 27-30 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The GTA delegation was led by Chairman Randall Dolland and included CEO Petra Roach and Manager of Nautical Development Nikoyan Roberts. The delegation also included Marlon Clyne, Manager, Administration of the Grenada Ports Authority and Sheldon Alexander, General Manager, Services Division, George F. Huggins & Co. Ltd. They joined more than 12,000 professionals from the cruise industry, including cruise line executives, port operators, travel agents and suppliers.

The conference presents opportunities to discuss trends and innovations in the global cruise industry and allows attendees to conduct one on one meetings to move forward commercial agreements.

The Grenada delegation participated in a series of meetings with cruise brands including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Silversea, American Queen Voyages, Princess Cruises, Oceania, Regent, Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection, Windstar Cruises, and Viking Cruises. Discussions centered around including Grenada in their itineraries, increasing the number of passengers disembarking in port, providing opportunities for Grenadian talent to be employed in the cruise industry workforce and providing a market for locally produced Grenadian products.

Petra Roach, CEO of the GTA, was optimistic about the conference and it’s expected impact on Grenada's tourism industry. "Seatrade Cruise Global Conference is not only an excellent opportunity for us to share updates in terms of improvements in Grenada's product but also the occasion for us to recommit to the cruise industry and communicate that we are open for business and serious about it. We look forward to solidifying these relationships with cruise line executives and other industry stakeholders and exploring different ways to attract more cruise visitors to our shores."

Photo: L-R: Marlon Clyne, Manager, Administration, Grenada Ports Authority; Nikoyan Roberts, Manager, Marketing, Sales, Nautical, GTA; Randall Dolland, Chairman, GTA; Petra Roach CEO GTA; and Sheldon Alexander, General Manager, Services Division, George F. Huggins & Co Ltd.

U.S. Virgin Islands attends Seatrade Cruise Global in Fort Lauderdale

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 04 April 2023 04 April 2023

The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism celebrates another successful year of participation at the annual Seatrade Cruise Global trade show. Seatrade is the cruise industry’s leading annual business-to-business event, bringing together buyers and suppliers from 140 countries and over 300 international journalists.

Seatrade stands as one of the most important annual trade shows for the U.S. Virgin Islands as the cruise industry has been a longstanding economic booster for tourists into the territory. In 2022, St. Thomas received more than 1.6 million cruise passengers through its two ports and anticipates 200,000 additional cruise passengers this year. St Croix’s Frederiksted Pier had 100,000 passengers come through in 2022 and is expecting an increase of 80% in 2023. Almost all the major Caribbean cruise lines sailing out of major U.S. ports have resumed docking in St. Thomas, which is leading to an anticipated increase of nearly 650,000 new travelers in 2023.

Along with four other industry leaders, Commissioner Joseph Boschulte participated in the event’s opening keynote panel, entitled “The State of Global Tourism: Forward Momentum, Catching Tailwinds,” which highlighted key trends and developments that have been emerging since the COVID-19 pandemic, including a great tailwind coming about from a decrease in credit card debt and an increase in savings that people now want to spend on travel. The other panelists included Jonathan Daniels, CEO and Port Director of Port Everglades; Terry Thornton, senior vice president, commercial development of Princess Cruises; Russell Benford, vice president of government relations, the Americas, for Royal Caribbean Group; and Stephen Xuereb, chief operating officer, of Global Ports Holding and chief executive of Valletta Cruise Port PLC.

Commissioner Boschulte said, “During the pandemic in June 2020, the Governor and the health team opened our borders and invited guests back, so the USVI experienced strong overnight hotel stays at that time. However, one of the biggest differences was not having the cruise ships which had been the anchor for our tourism economy for decades. Now, we are happy to report that the cruise business is back, and passenger volume is expected to reach pre-Covid 2019 levels by the end of this year.” Boschulte added, “tourism makes up 60% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the three-island Territory so its impact on the entire economy is enormous.”

Governor Bryan, Commissioner Boschulte, the Department of Tourism and the Port Authority garnered applause from Royal Caribbean Group’s Russell Benford who highlighted the strategic investments into the cruise industry to secure their place in the reemerging market share. The panel brought up other important developments that emanated from the pandemic, including the impact of changing itineraries and the impetus for increased regional cooperation in the Caribbean. “The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is doing a phenomenal job of ensuring the destinations in the region are not competing against one another,” Boschulte explained. “Ships don’t just sail to one destination in a region but rather to many places and therefore working together is so important to the Caribbean’s success. Together, we are making faster decisions, having more discussions, and working more closely with one another,” he said.

Over the four-day event, members representing the Department of Tourism and the Virgin Islands Port Authority meet with key representatives from the cruise industry, vendors, and media, building new relationships and fostering old ones to continue to grow the territory’s stance as a leading port within the Caribbean.