Ports & destinations

All time high for cruise ships in Gothenburg

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 28 December 2022 28 December 2022

A total of 81 cruise ships called at the Port of Gothenburg in 2022. That is seven calls more than the previous record season of 2014.

“It is a big increase following of the pandemic, even though it is other tragic circumstances that are behind the upturn to a large extent,” says Nicole Brattåsen, Cruise Operations Manager at the Gothenburg Port Authority.

“As a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Russian ports were excluded, and the cruise lines had to cancel the popular St. Petersburg out of their plans and find alternatives. In Gothenburg, we already had a good booking situation for 2022, but the number rose in the spring with 30 bookings as a result of the geopolitical situation,” says Nicole Brattåsen.

Gothenburg – in contrast to what people want

The majority of cruise travelers in Gothenburg are Germans, British and Americans – in that order. Once in the city, both classic local picturesque attractions are popular, as well as destinations outside the city centre.

“We are selling Gothenburg as a bit of a break in the regular cruise range, depending on the target group. For big city cruisers for example, we are a slightly more relaxed city with a nice vibe. For expedition cruisers on the other hand, we are a fun detour from fishing communities and smaller villages where we can offer a little more pulse and a big city feel.”

New record year underway in 2023

The 2023 cruise season already looks set to be another record year for Gothenburg, as a total of 92 calls are booked to date. But in the long term, Gothenburg needs to continue to strengthen its competitiveness as a destination in a global cruise industry that is facing several challenges.

“On the one hand, we have a recession coming on that affects all the experience industries. On a slightly more regional level, we need to find a new identity for the Baltic region needs without St. Petersburg,” says Nicole Brattåsen.

Like other industries, the cruise industry is also facing sustainability challenges where, among other things, ships are connected to electricity at the quay to an increasing extent and are looking at alternative ship fuels such as biogas and methanol.

“The destinations also need to do their part, and Gothenburg is at the forefront. The city has been named the world's most sustainable destination six times in a row, and we receive indications from tour operators that guests want to learn more about it and what Gothenburg concretely does to be sustainable.”

“When it comes to alternative fuels for example, the Port of Gothenburg was the first in the world to introduce operating regulations for the bunkering of both methanol and biogas, and we are investing heavily in becoming a central bunkering hub for alternative fuels. It contributes to increasing the rate of conversion and at the same time makes us more attractive as a destination for shipping companies that invest in green conversion,” says Nicole Brattåsen.

The pandemic gave rise to new behaviours

The cruise industry at large has also gone through a baptism of fire with the pandemic, with the recovery still ongoing. In total, Gothenburg had around 80,000 cruise visitors in 2022, and many operators clearly notice an upturn of sales when there are cruise guests visiting.

“The occupancy has been around 70% on the ships. There is a caution from both shipping companies and passengers where they do not want to take any risks. We are also seeing new patterns on land, for example the demand to book entire restaurants or concert halls where you stay within the cruise bubble has increased.”

“At the same time, there is also an opposite trend where you want to get closer to people, meet locals, visit farms, microbreweries and such. Cruise passengers are not a homogenous group but individuals who want to experience different things,” says Nicole Brattåsen.

Record year for Catania Cruise Port

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 21 December 2022 21 December 2022

The closing ceremony of the 2022 cruise season, organized by Catania Cruise Port, was held this morning in the port of Catania, with the participation of local authorities and the press.

To present the final data of the year Raffaella Del Prete, General Manager of the Italian ports belonging to the Global Ports Holding Group (Catania, Cagliari, Taranto and Crotone), who showed great enthusiasm for the 2022 results and for the forecasts for the 2023. Also present at the conference was Stephen Xuereb, COO of Global Ports Holding and President of Catania Cruise Port.

The numbers highlight the constant post-pandemic growth, which led to more than 90 calls and almost 140.000 passengers in 2022, marking a clear gap from the previous year's data (21 calls and around 14.000 passengers). The 2023 season, on the same wavelength, currently has about 90 calls and 150.000 passengers. Among the most represented companies and main customers of the Sicilian port, Costa Cruises stand out, with a mostly Italian public, together with TUI and Aida, brands dedicated to the German market, true admirers of the Sicilian destination. As for the most popular excursion destinations, have great appeal those of naturalistic and eco-sustainable inspiration, such as Etna and the Alcantara gorges, those rich in history, art, and culture, such as Taormina and Syracuse, as well as the tour of Catania itself, with its historic centre embellished by Baroque architecture, here Unesco heritage.

The 2022 season also saw significant growth in the numbers of interporting, i.e. the passenger embarkation and disembarkation operations which, thanks to its operational efficiency, Catania Cruise Port successfully carried out for the Costa Pacifica, part of the Costa Cruises fleet, that called at the Etna port every Sunday from June to September.

Further relief was also given by the abundant presence of companies in the luxury segment who have chosen to include Catania in their itineraries: we are talking about 14 cruise lines, such as the fascinating ships of Regent Seven Seas, the sailing ships of Sea Cloud and the mega yachts of Emerald Cruises, which demonstrate how the Etna destination is also suitable for satisfying the requests of such a demanding target.

“The resumption of cruise traffic after the pandemic is evident in the sector and Catania Cruise Port, with intense marketing and collaboration work with local institutions and realities, has managed to quickly resume performance and important volumes. Thanks also to the network of the Group we belong to, Global Ports Holding, we are working hard to ensure that this growth is confirmed and accentuated in 2023 and in the years to come” said Raffaella Del Prete, General Manager of Catania Cruise Port.

Since the end of 2016, Catania Cruise Port has joined the network of Global Ports Holding (GPH), the world's largest cruise port operator with an established presence in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Asia-Pacific regions, including extensive commercial port operations in Montenegro. GPH operates 26 cruise ports in 14 countries and continues to grow steadily, providing services for 15 million passengers reaching a market share of 29% in the Mediterranean annually.

Global Ports Holding expands to North America with Prince Rupert deal

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 14 November 2022 14 November 2022

Global Ports Holding Plc (GPH), the world's largest independent cruise port operator, said that it has signed a 10-year concession, with a 10-year extension option, with Prince Rupert Port Authority to manage cruise services at Prince Rupert Cruise Port in British Columbia, Canada.

Prince Rupert Cruise Port is GPH's first cruise port in North America, marking an important milestone in the continued development and growth of the group and extends our global reach. Prince Rupert Cruise Port is located at the heart of the British Columbian cruise port market, just 40 miles from Alaska, one of the largest cruise markets in the world and ideally placed for cruise itineraries to and from the key homeports in the region, including Seattle and Vancouver, the company said in a statement.

Prince Rupert Cruise Port welcomed about 41,000 cruise passengers in 2022. Current expectations are that for the 2023 cruise season passenger volumes will rise to close to 80,000 and continue growing.

“We’re bullish on the future of Prince Rupert’s position in the expanding Alaskan cruise market and this strategic partnership with GPH represents a significant step toward the growth of Prince Rupert as a cruise destination.” said Shaun Stevenson, President, and CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority.

Mike Maura Jr., Regional Director - Americas of Global Ports Holding commented “Prince Rupert Cruise Port (PRCP) marks another first for us, as GPH enters a new region of Alaska in North America. As Global Ports Holding, in partnership with the Prince Rupert community, our focus will be to strengthen and expand the shore excursion capabilities of the beautiful destination of Prince Rupert, as well as bring the global expertise and GPH operating model to the port. Our approach to this partnership recognizes that we are invited guests committed to both the environment and good people of Prince Rupert.”

GPH is headquartered in Istanbul and shares in the company are listed in London. Prior to this agreement GPH had 18 portsin its portfolio.

Strong rebound at Flynn Cruiseport Boston in 2022

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 19 December 2022 19 December 2022

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) saw business bounce back at Flynn Cruiseport Boston this year with 310,767 passengers and 128 cruise ships this season, including 56 homeport vessels and 72 port of calls. The Cruiseport served a record number of homeport ships this year with five vessels from four different cruise lines, and saw the number of passengers and ships in October surpass that of the same time frame in 2019. Generating more than $135 million in annual economic impact and supporting more than 2,200 jobs, cruising from Boston supports hundreds of businesses throughout the region, from transportation providers and restaurants, to tourist attractions, airlines and hotels, souvenir shops, and provisioning companies that supply the ship. Prior to the pandemic, Flynn Cruiseport Boston served a record 402,346 passengers on 138 ships in 2019.

“We were thrilled to see that the demand for cruising continues to be strong as we work to support the recovery of travel and tourism in New England,” said Massport Port Director Joseph Morris. “Boston has grown as both a homeport and destination port of call for multiple cruise lines, and we look forward to expanding our itineraries for customers in the future.”

The 2022 cruise season started in April and ended before Thanksgiving. Massport celebrated 12 maiden voyages to Boston, including Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Pearl, Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Legend, and both the Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess from Princess Cruises. The Cruiseport supported itineraries to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Greenland/Iceland, and Denmark from 19 different cruise lines. The facility also welcomed its first hybrid cruise ship, the Roald Amundsen, from Hurtigruten. The Amundsen is a battery-supported cruise ship with a capacity of 530 passengers and 160 crew members.

Boston is well-known in the cruise industry for having one of the best airport-to-cruiseport proximities in the U.S, with Logan International Airport just a short ride away. This season, the Cruiseport served several new itineraries that either started or ended in Boston. In October, Celebrity Summit offered a 12-day one-way cruise from Boston to the Caribbean and ended in Miami, FL. Vantage Cruise Line’s Ocean Explorer departed Boston on Oct. 29 for a 10-day cruise along the East Coast and ended in Nassau, Bahamas. Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas offered a 14-day “Arctic Crossing” cruise that started in Copenhagen, Denmark and ended in Boston on Sept. 18.

Massport welcomed back onboard events at the Cruiseport in 2022 as well, highlighting our loyal travel agent partnerships that enable the cruise lines to continue expanding in the New England market. Flynn Cruiseport celebrated Celebrity Cruises’ inaugural homeport season in Boston with a fireside chat featuring their CEO and Gloucester native Lisa Lutoff-Perlo and Massport CEO Lisa Wieland. This event provided over 100 regional travel agents the opportunity to engage with a cruise line executive with local roots, while celebrating female leadership in the maritime sector here in New England.

“Our first season homeporting in Boston was a great success and we can’t wait to build on it for the 2023 season,” said Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. “As a native of the Boston area, I’m thrilled to see the region thrive and congratulate all of the teams within the Massachusetts Port Authority on a truly stellar year.”

Flynn Cruiseport was delighted to welcome Windstar Cruises’ Star Pride and the James Beard Foundation for an event with local chef and owner of Mei Mei Dumplings Irene Li, which included a cooking demonstration and meet-and-greet with local and regional media partners. Windstar is the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation, raising awareness of the epicurean delights that can be discovered in ports around the world.

“Flynn Cruiseport Boston is an ideal location for Holland America Line to homeport a significant portion of our North American voyages,” said President of Holland America Line Gus Antorcha. “Whether exploring Canada and New England or discovering the wonders of Greenland, Iceland and the British Isles, guests can sail roundtrip from Boston and enjoy the best service at sea.”

“Massport is a valued business partner and Boston is one of our most popular destinations with nearly 40,000 Princess guests experiencing the city’s unique history, culture and landmarks each year,” said President of Princess Cruises John Padgett. "Many thanks to Massport for yet another successful cruise season from Flynn Cruiseport Boston and we're looking forward to an even more successful season in 2023."

The 2023 cruise season is expected to be just as robust as 2022, set to begin on March 31 with the Norwegian Pearl sailing to Bermuda.

“Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises congratulate Flynn Cruiseport Boston on a strong comeback year,” said Senior Vice President of Port Development and Construction of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd Juan Kuryla. “The health of the cruise industry is critical for port communities as its contributions help stimulate the local economy and support infrastructure investments. Flynn Cruiseport Boston is the homeport for one of our most popular itineraries to Bermuda and we are excited to continue our strong partnership.”

Boston is one of America’s oldest cities. Visitors can experience revolutionary landmarks along the Freedom Trail, visit the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, stroll through Boston Common to Faneuil Hall, or tour Fenway Park, the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball. Neighborhoods such as the North End, Beacon Hill and the Back Bay offer unique flavors, sights and sounds for every interest. Tourists can also experience diverse and vibrant neighborhoods such as Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, and Chinatown, providing unique and curated culinary, artistic, and historical connections for those experiencing Boston’s 23 neighborhoods. Boston is a city where tradition and innovation blend to create a unique cosmopolitan destination.

Galveston Wharves aligns on shore power project with Shell, cruise lines, CenterPoint Energy, Texas A&M

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 08 November 2022 08 November 2022

The Galveston Wharves, together with Carnival Corporation, CenterPoint Energy, Royal Caribbean Group, Shell Trading (US) Company and Texas A&M University at Galveston, will work toward potential solutions to develop environmentally beneficial shore power at the Port of Galveston through a non-binding memorandum of understanding.

The agreement outlines the parties’ intention to develop a project timeline and specifications, as well as cost estimates and proposed agreements, for a system to deliver shore power to vessels docked at the port. Shore power allows vessels to plug into an onshore electrical source for onboard power instead of using auxiliary diesel-powered engines, which produce emissions.

Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO, said, “As a Green Marine-certified port, we recognize shore power as an opportunity to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gases associated with maritime activities.

“This project working group is our dream team. It’s a winning combination with energy infrastructure expertise from Shell and CenterPoint Energy, the experience of major cruise lines Royal Caribbean and Carnival, and the educational and research resources of Texas A&M-Galveston.”

Royal Caribbean Group is outfitting its new Galveston cruise terminal for when shore power becomes available for the Oasis-class Allure of the Seas. The ship will homeport at the new cruise terminal opening Nov. 9.

“We are in lock-step with Galveston Wharves’ vision for sustainable cruising,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. “Our Galveston cruise terminal is built with sustainability top-of-mind and will operate using 100-percent renewable, onsite energy. This step toward shore power at the Port of Galveston extends our efforts and our collective goal of a clean energy future.”

Carnival Cruise Line, another major cruise line that calls Galveston home, also has pledged that any of its ships regularly assigned to homeport at Galveston will be capable of connecting to shore power once it is made available.

The new Carnival Jubilee, scheduled to homeport in Galveston in 2023, will be equipped with shore power capabilities. The ship will run on clean-burning liquified natural gas (LNG), making it the first cruise ship homeporting at Galveston to have this energy technology.

Christine Duffy, president, Carnival Cruise Line, said, "As we prepare to bring the magnificent Carnival Jubilee to Galveston next year, we could not think of a better time to work with the Galveston Wharves and our other partners to bring shore power closer to reality. We are fully committed to a successful shore power program, as it is in line with our top priorities of compliance and environmental protection, as well as the health, safety and well-being of our guests, employees and the people in the communities we touch and serve.”

Glenn Wright, senior vice president of Renewables & Energy Solutions, Shell Energy, said, “The world is working toward a more sustainable energy future in many areas, and Shell is proud to be a leader in delivering integrated decarbonization solutions to help achieve those objectives. Integrating shore power into port infrastructure is a perfect example of this, and we’re excited to work with such a diverse and dedicated group to support the Galveston Wharves as it builds upon its existing sustainability program.”

Rees said that the port has seen growing interest in powering docked ships with shore-side electricity. The Galveston Campus of Texas A&M University is conducting a study of shore power for cargo ships to help determine possibilities for the port to provide that service.

“Driving discovery is key to supporting the blue economy for the Gulf Coast region and beyond,” said Col. Michael E. Fossum, vice president of Texas A&M, chief operating officer of the Galveston Campus and superintendent for the Texas A&M Maritime Academy. “Partnering with the Port of Galveston, which is our campus’ backyard and an employer of our graduates, aligns perfectly with our mission to educate, innovate and create real industry solutions to advance our economy.”

As a top-50 U.S. cargo port and fourth most popular cruise port in the U.S., the Port of Galveston had almost 1,000 ship calls in 2021. Through Green Marine, a voluntary environmental program for North America’s maritime industry, the port is researching and implementing new programs like shore power for lasting environmental benefits.