Ports & destinations

Port of Galveston, Waze partner to improve traffic conditions

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 07 September 2022 07 September 2022

The Port of Galveston is partnering with popular navigation app Waze to decrease traffic congestion and make better-informed planning decisions with real-time traffic and roadway data.

The free, two-way data share agreement will give port officials real-time data collected directly from Waze users. The port will provide Waze with real-time construction and road closure data, which will help Waze users plan the most efficient routes.

“We are always looking for opportunities to improve traffic flow in and around the port, especially our cruise terminals, which host more than 1 million passengers a year,” said Rodger Rees, port director and CEO. “The partnership with Waze gives us a great tool to enhance our traffic plans and our clean air initiatives to benefit port users and island residents.”

Waze users will have access to current road construction, hazard and closure information. The port will be able to give cruise passengers and ground transportation providers the best routes to specific terminals to minimize traffic congestion.

As a Waze partner, the port will be able to edit Waze maps to add roads and other relevant information. This is especially important as the port completes phases of its new internal roadway and opens its third cruise terminal at Pier 10 in November, Rees said.

Waze also supports the port’s vision to be a Smart Cruise Port by using technology to enhance the debarkation and embarkation processes for cruise passengers. Reducing travel and idling times also contributes to the port’s environmental goals as a Green Marine-certified port.

In 2022, the port expects 330 cruise ship sailings, with more passengers and ships forecast next year. Cargo transports, ship supplies and other port-related activities also generate traffic in and around the port.

Port Mobility Director Julio De Leon sad, “We're thrilled to partner with Waze to gain a deeper understanding of real-time conditions. The context Waze gives us in terms of what’s happening and why traffic conditions are being affected in near real-time is invaluable to our traffic planning program as we prepare for growth in our cruise and cargo sectors.”

Port Everglades names new Chief Harbormaster Christopher Marchant

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 06 September 2022 06 September 2022

Port Everglades has promoted Christopher (Chris) Marchant to the role of Chief Harbormaster, guiding maritime services for Broward County's multi-faceted 2,190-acre seaport.

Marchant has served as Assistant Harbormaster for Port Everglades since August 2021 and as Duty Harbormaster from May 2010. He was also a linehandler with Port Everglades for four years.

"Chris is a prime example of how we recognize talent from within the organization, which preserves valuable institutional knowledge and helps us deliver high quality services to our customers in the cruise, cargo and energy sectors," said Port Everglades Chief Executive and Port Director Jonathan Daniels.

Marchant earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.

Bodrum welcomed the largest cruise ship in its history

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 29 August 2022 29 August 2022

Bodrum Cruise Port, a subsidiary of Global Ports Holding, the world's largest cruise port operator, hosted the largest cruise ship in Bodrum's history on August 25, Thursday: Odyssey of the Seas. While the ship's 3693 passengers were visiting Bodrum city center, there were also passengers who preferred the castle and ruins tours. Aziz Güngör, Global Ports Holding Eastern Mediterranean Ports Director, said, “We will be seeing more large ships like Odyssey of the Seas in Bodrum waters from next year. Bodrum is on its way to becoming a very important cruise destination.”

Bodrum, as one of Turkey's rising star of cruise destinations, hosted the Odyssey of the Seas, the 2nd newest ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet. Odyssey of the Seas, bringing 3693 passengers, mainly American, British and German, made its first voyage to Bodrum. While most of the passengers visited Bodrum's old town and bazaars on foot, some of the other passengers took tour buses to go to Bodrum’s archaeological sites such as St. Peter Castle, authentic Sandima Village Tour, Jeep Safari, Turkish Bath and Beach Clubs.

Global Ports Holding, Eastern Mediterranean Ports Director Aziz Güngör said that for the first time in its history, Bodrum Cruise Port has hosted a ship of this size in cruise tourism, where ship sizes and capacities are increasing day by day. Güngör said, “We will be seeing bigger ships such as Odyssey of the Seas, which we will see twice this year, in Bodrum waters more and more, starting next year. Bodrum is on its way to becoming a very important cruise tourism destination.”

Bodrum exhibited a rising performance in cruise tourism in 2022. In the first 7 months of the year, Bodrum ranked 3rd after Kuşadası and Istanbul in terms of the number of ships and passengers. Bodrum Cruise Port, which is among the few ports of Turkey with the Green Port accreditation, provides the terminal and pier services required by a cruise port in full.

Portland in UK to expand port to receive two large cruise ships at a time

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 06 September 2022 06 September 2022

Portland Port on the south west coast of the UK said it is embarking on its largest and most ambitious improvement project to date, investing £26 million in a major berth development that would allow it to receive two large cruise ships simultaneously.

“The port has applied for, and had approved, all the necessary permissions to carry out the project. The development will see the existing Deep Water Berth (DWB) removed, and replaced with a brand new, extended berth. In addition, the works will deliver a 74m extension to the solid quay face of our current primary cruise berth, the Outer Coaling Pier (OCP),” the port said in a statement.

The outcome of the development works will be a brand new DWB with a 250m solid berth face, including a suite of new 150t bollards and with 12m water depth alongside, capable of handling cruise ships up to 350m long. In addition, OCP will be extended to produce a 250m solid berth face with 11m water depth alongside. Overall the project will deliver 16,000m2 of additional quayside space and be capable of handling two 350m LOA cruise ships alongside at the same time.

"Milestone for port and its future"

Alex Hayes, Landside General Manager at Portland Port, who is overseeing the project and said: “This is a key investment for the port and demonstrates our commitement to the continued development of our infrastructure. The project has taken a lot of time and planning to take it from its initial conception though to implementation. There is still a lot of work to be done before the project is complete, however the outcome will be a milestone for the port and its future.”

During the tender process, pre-qualifications were sent out to 20 applicants. Knights Brown are the Managing Contractor with Ramboll undertaking the design work as Principal Designer. Ramboll have used their expertise in the design of quay walls to minimise the tonnage of steel required as well as maximising the use of locally available rock within the works.

The piling works has been awarded to Red 7 Marine. Red 7 Marine and the port have worked successfully together before, during the construction of the two new dolphins on OCP in 2017. Red 7 Marine is an experienced marine company, which has developed and grown consistently since 1999.

Along with Red 7 Marine, local contractors Barrett Electrical, D&M Groundworks, ESG Trading, Pipefix and Quest Marine will also be involved in supporting the works.

The preparatory works are already underway and, once complete, the development will have used 380,000 tonnes of locally sourced infill material and 4,800 tonnes of steel. The piling works are due to commence at the beginning of October with the both OCP and DWB being fully operational by 1st May 2023.

The initial surface finish of the quayside will be temporary but heavy duty, to allow for settling, with final surfacing works due to take place between October 2023 and February 2024.

Ian McQuade, Portland Port’s Commercial General Manager said: “This development will provide a major and significant enhancement to the port’s capabilities. The new facilities will enable Portland Port to keep pace with the increasing demands from our existing cruise and cargo customers whilst offering the opportunity for future growth.”

Norwegian Cruise Line's land donation benefits indigenous stakeholders and Alaska community

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 25 August 2022 25 August 2022

Huna Totem Corp., an Alaska Native village corporation, accepted a gift of 2.9 acres of undeveloped waterfront property in Juneau from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. The village corporation is actively engaging with other Alaska Native corporations and community stakeholders and has formed Huna Totem Development Group to lead efforts in developing a new pier and related infrastructure. This group, including Goldbelt Inc., the Alaska Native urban corporation representing Juneau, expects to submit plans for a year-round facility by the end of the year.

“Huna Totem views this as a win-win for our Alaska Native shareholders and the Juneau community,” said Russell Dick, CEO of Huna Totem Corp. “As the developer and operator of the world-class cruise port of Icy Strait Point and a Southeast-based company, we bring expertise and a local commitment to our shareholders and our neighbors. Through our design and community partnerships, the waterfront complex will reflect the historic and cultural values of the Alaska Native people.”

Just 35 miles west of Juneau, Huna Totem’s Icy Strait Point port model is recognized as an award-winning global leader for its Indigenous and environmental responsibility. Its success is attributed to incorporating community stakeholders and the corporation is committed to implementing the same model while developing the waterfront parcel in Juneau.

Norwegian and Huna Totem have a longstanding commitment to growth in Alaska. Norwegian began calling on Huna Totem’s privately-owned and operated port of Icy Strait Point in 2013. In 2018, Huna Totem partnered with Norwegian, adding the Wilderness Landing port facility at Icy Strait Point. Earlier this year, Norwegian also committed to Huna Totem’s double berth turn-port in Whittier, Alaska, the gateway to Alaska’s interior.

“Ensuring this Juneau project is fully integrated into the community is incredibly important to us, and as we began planning its development, it became abundantly clear that Huna Totem, owned entirely by Alaska Natives, was the right stakeholder to lead this effort,” said Dan Farkas, executive vice president and general counsel for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings who oversees corporate construction. “Alaska is an incredibly popular, fast-growing destination, and this partnership will provide the dual benefit of driving positive, sustainable economic impact to the region while also ensuring that the development of the land is done in a way that is respectful and representative of the rich history and culture of this community.”

Huna Totem is working with Goldbelt, Inc. to assist with the development and operations of the waterfront property. Together, the Alaska Native corporations share extensive knowledge in tourism and support a high percentage of their Alaska Native shareholder constituents living in Juneau.

“This is an astonishing gift for Juneau and our Goldbelt shareholders,” said Goldbelt President and CEO McHugh Pierre. “Giving ownership back to the Tlingit people is a tremendous way to honor the culture of this community. We look forward to partnering with Huna Totem to share the values and ancestral history of this land.”

In addition to Goldbelt and Huna Totem, the all-Alaska-based development group includes Jensen Yorba Wall Architects and Alaska Commercial Contractors from Juneau and Turnagain Marine, an Anchorage-based pier developer.

In alignment with Juneau’s 2021 waterfront plan, the development group is ready to submit a site plan to begin the permitting process with the city. Huna Totem and Goldbelt will host a series of public meetings to share their vision and design for the property.

“We look forward to working with local tribal corporations on this significant development for the Juneau community,” said Alexandra Pierce, tourism manager for the City and Borough of Juneau. “CBJ’s permitting process remains the same regardless of ownership and the next step is for Huna Totem to submit a Conditional Use Permit application to be reviewed by the Planning Commission. That process will provide an opportunity for public comment. The community will also have the opportunity to provide public testimony to the Assembly during the tidelands lease process.”