Ports & destinations

Global Ports Holding signs MOU with St. Lucia

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 22 October 2022 22 October 2022

Global Ports Holding Plc, the world's largest independent cruise port operator, has announced that, following bilateral discussions, it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of St Lucia for a 30-year concession, with a potential 10-year extension option for the cruise related operations in St Lucia.

Under the terms of the MoU, both parties have entered into an exclusive period. During this period, GPH and the Government of St Lucia will continue to carry out extensive due diligence, and both parties will work towards successfully signing the concession agreement.

Following the successful execution of the concession agreement, GPH will use its global expertise and operating model to manage the cruise port operations in St Lucia. In addition, GPH will invest in a material upgrade of the cruise port facilities, including the expansion of the existing berth in Point Seraphine, which will allow the handling of Oasis class ships, as well as transforming the retail experience, including through the redevelopment of the Vendor's Arcade and other facilities at Castries.

In addition to improving the overall cruise passenger experience in St Lucia, GPH is committed to driving significant economic benefits for the local residents through improving the facilities in and around the port such as Fisherman's Village and driving increased passenger spend in the destination.

In 2019, St Lucia welcomed c790k passengers, the completion of the extended pier and upgrade of the facilities are expected to lead to a rise in passenger volumes to over 1m in the medium term.

The signing of the Concession Agreement is subject to both parties' agreement on its final terms. Signing is expected to occur in the first half of calendar year 2023, although there can be no certainty as to the timing or that the terms of a concession agreement will be agreed. A further announcement will be made when it is appropriate to do so.

Port Milwaukee hosted more than 13,000 cruise passengers this season

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 20 October 2022 20 October 2022

October 19 marked the end of Port Milwaukee’s 2022 Great Lakes cruising season. On Wednesday, Mayor Cavalier Johnson was joined by officials from the City of Milwaukee, the State of Wisconsin, and the Great Lakes region to celebrate a banner year for the city’s growing cruising industry.

In 2022, Milwaukee welcomed 13,610 passengers that traveled to-or-from the city via international cruise ship. That represents a total of 33 vessel calls between the eight vessels that host itineraries in Milwaukee. This is compared to the 10 total stops made during the 2019 season, before Great Lakes cruising halted for two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of note, Port staff handled approximately 16,000 items of luggage this year – highlighting how efficient, safe, and accommodating this recreational tourism operation has become.

“Milwaukee is a great destination, filled with attractions and hospitality. People from around the globe are clearly taking notice of our city, and the growing passenger and vessel visit numbers speak for themselves,” said Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “This effort is a wonderful example of how the City’s partnerships are creating new excitement and activity in Milwaukee. I’m looking forward to more travelers cruising to America’s Fresh Coast next year, and beyond.”

Mayor Johnson also announced that his 2023 Proposed Budget completes the financing package for the redevelopment of South Shore Cruise Dock, located immediately east of the Lake Express High-Speed Ferry terminal. This will serve as the future port-of-call for Seawaymax vessels. Port Milwaukee received $3.5 million in Capital Tourism grant funding from the State of Wisconsin to build this new infrastructure at South Shore Cruise Dock.

“Milwaukee is becoming the turnaround port of choice for international cruise lines operating on the Great Lakes. This success is because of the hard work of Port staff and our partners,” said Adam Tindall-Schlicht, Director of Port Milwaukee. “Our momentum and positioning as a Great Lakes cruising destination will keep moving forward.”

Several ongoing efforts remain underway to promote the passenger cruise business in Milwaukee and throughout the Great Lakes. Port Milwaukee is the founder of the Milwaukee Cruise Collaborative, a local group promoting the city as a cruise destination. The Collaborative, which includes a cross section of the local hospitality industry, has planned, promoted and prepared for increased Great Lakes cruising passengers. VISIT Milwaukee and various local stakeholders are also proud partners in promoting Great Lakes cruising activity in the city.

The Port is also a participant in the Cruise the Great Lakes initiative of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers. The Port recently signed onto a Cruise the Great Lakes pledge committing to promoting environmental stewardship practices and efforts for the 2022 cruising season and beyond.

Port Milwaukee is an economic entity of City government governed by the seven-member Board of Harbor Commissioners, a panel appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Common Council. It administers operations on the 467 acres that make up the Port. It promotes shipping and commerce throughout the region by providing access to domestic and international ships, rail, and over-the-road transportation.

South Korea to open for cruise ships again

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 20 October 2022 20 October 2022

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (Minister CHO, Seung-Hwan) announced the normalization and reopening of Korean ports to allow entry and disembarkation of foreign tourists on cruise ships, starting from 24th Oct 2022 (Monday).

Since the ban on entry of travel-purpose cruise ships imposed by the Central Disease Management Headquarters in February 2020, to prevent the additional spread of COVID-19, the entry of tourism-purpose cruise ships and domestic disembarkation of foreign tourists in local ports has been restricted, only allowing cruise ships to moor for logistical purposes, such as for replenishing ship supplies.

Since then, in response to the opinions from local governments and related industries on the difficulty faced by regional economies due to the ban on cruise ship operations, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries started to allow the entry of tourism-purpose cruise ships with no disembarkation of tourists since last May, after reaching an agreement with the relevant ministries. In addition, considering the recent lifting of mandatory tests upon entry to Korea, MOF has proactively engaged with the quarantine authorities to allow the entry of cruise ships and the disembarkation of foreign tourists starting from 24th October.

As of 24th October, all individuals, including crew and passengers, on board cruise ships that enter and depart Korean ports shall have to wear masks in common indoor spaces, such as in performance halls or restaurants, in accordance with the quarantine standards of Korea, and shall comply with quarantine guidelines, including checks on health status by using Q-codes prior to entry. Moreover, any foreigners intending to make short-term stays in Korea, who have either been confirmed with COVID-19 or show suspicious symptoms such as fever, shall not disembark and need to be quarantined on board the vessel.

On this day, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will promptly communicate the reopening measures finalized in the Central Disaster Management Headquarters meeting with the regional governments, port authorities, and the Korea Tourism Organization of the respective ports that reopen for cruise ships as well as with the industry, including companies and agencies involved in shipping and marine transportation. Furthermore, the readiness of the cruise terminals, customs offices, immigration offices, and quarantine offices will be reviewed for the respective ports to ensure the smooth entry of cruise ships.

In addition, starting with Port Sales from 27th October (Thursday) with organizations that target Japanese cruise operators and travel agencies, the Ministry plans to carry out online and offline cruise ship marketing activities in nearby nations.

Minister Cho Seung-Hwan of Oceans and Fisheries stressed that “the cruise sector and the regional economies around cruise ports are faced with unprecedented challenges from the impacts of COVID-19.” He added, “While it may take some time for cruise ships to actually dock at our ports due to the time required to book passengers on tours, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will start with the planned actions to proactively support the promotion of cruise ships to help revitalize the sector and regional businesses.”

Antigua Cruise Port projects a promising cruise season 2022-2023

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 20 October 2022 20 October 2022

The upcoming 2022-2023 season looks very promising with 182,120 passengers projected between the months of October and December 2022. Antigua Cruise Port is expected to welcome 354 calls for a total of 616,419 passengers by the end of its peak cruise season, while the remainder of the season will attain maximum heights as January 2023 is set to be the busiest month with 79 calls and 135,810 passengers.

Dona Regis-Prosper, General Manager of ACP, highlights some of the expectations for the upcoming season. “In comparison to the modest summer months of 2022, May – September 2023 will see a total of 18 cruise ship calls depicting the growth and development of Antigua’s cruise industry. In addition, the port will engage in homeporting operations beginning with Star Clipper of Royal Clipper Cruises in December 2022 and continuing with the Arvia, Carnival’s largest cruise vessel in January 2023 until March 2023.”

An estimated 800 passengers are projected to be accommodated for each operation of the Arvia, providing the twin-island nation with consistent business for all relevant stakeholders such as taxi drivers, hotel workers, shipping agents and restaurants alike. Homeporting operations for the Arvia are expected to resume in November 2023, along with the start of full weekly operations from Emerald Cruises. Multiple cruise calls days will also be significant as Antigua Cruise Port will encounter several days with more than one ship in port at once. December 2022 will embrace 5-ship days, with January 2023 also pinpointing 5-ship days and one 6-ship day. February 2023 will earmark one day with 7 ships in port simultaneously: a cause for celebration.

Antigua Cruise Port is currently offering complementary Port Security training for all port users including, taxi operators, vendors, tour operators, security officers, restauranteurs, and retailers. “We continue to invest in the success of the port community and industry stakeholders. We believe in authentic, open dialogue, and see it as our duty to assist everyone; from our colleagues to our tenants, to port community members to achieve success. Against this backdrop we continue to offer complementary training to the port community and thus we have identified port security as one of the priority areas,” continues Regis-Prosper.

Cruise restart in Ha Long, Vietnam

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 14 October 2022 14 October 2022

Ha Long Cruise Port, part of the Global Ports Holding network of ports, welcomes Le Laperouse cruise ship marking the restart of cruising in Ha Long, Vietnam.

After a two-year pause of the cruising activities due to the pandemic, on October 12 Ha Long Cruise Port opened its season with the Ponant Cruises. Le Laperouse, carrying over 100 passengers will be at the port for 3 days. The cruise passengers will be enjoying Ha Long and its surroundings, visiting several attractions such as Halong Bay, Trang An (Ninh Bình) and Hanoi Capital.

Thao Van Nguyen, Port Manager of Ha Long Cruise Port said: “With the support of the Vietnam Government thanks to its policies, Vietnam has reopened to international travel & tourism on March 15th. As Ha Long Cruise Port, we are delighted to welcome all cruise passengers, crew & ship once again with all necessary protocols in place for health & safety.”

Ha Long Cruise Port is the first and only cruise port in Vietnam capable of welcoming the world's largest and most modern cruise ship to Ha Long Bay located in the heart of Ha Long city. Part of the Global Ports Holding network of ports through a management agreement, Ha Long Cruise Port expects a double increase of calls for the 2023 season.

With a combination of beautiful emerald waters and scattered islands, Ha Long Bay is an UNESCO Site Heritage. Towering limestone pillars and tiny islets topped by forest rise from the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. A vision of ethereal beauty and, unsurprisingly, northern Vietnam's number one-tourism hub. Ha Long has received the National Cup of Environment as Green City - clean - beautiful.