Ports & destinations

A charter for sustainable cruise operations in the bay of Cannes

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 30 July 2019 30 July 2019

As part of their commitment to establish sustainable cruise operations in the bay of Cannes, David Lisnard, mayor of Cannes, Jean-Pierre Savarino, president of the CCI Nice Cote d’Azur, and James S. Mitchell, vice president – Marine HSEM- Health, Safety, Environment, Medical from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. participated in the signing ceremony of a Cruise Charter, sponsored by the Municipality of Cannes which allows to recognize cruise operators adhering and participating in the program of incentive measures geared towards the protection of the environment. This significant action is a major step forward for the protection of the environment and is a continuation of the actions undertaken by David Lisnard and the Prime minister to fight against marine pollution of the cruise ships.

The signing ceremony took place on Thursday, July 25 at 11.30 am at the Cannes City Hall under the aegis of the Municipality of Cannes and the CCI Nice Côte d’Azur, manager of the Old Port of Cannes and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., a leading global cruise company which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands, the first signatory of the Cruise Charter. Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services, international ground handling and cruise port Operation Company, helped to facilitate and sign this charter agreement acting as the port agent of Norwegian Cruise Line in Cannes.

This tripartite agreement sets four environmental commitments to preserve the bay of Cannes and its exceptional ecosystem.The bay of Cannes welcomes every year many cruise ships. In order to preserve the destination, protect the environment and enhance the bay of Cannes, the Municipality of Cannes and CCI Nice Cote d’Azur invite cruise operators to partake in more ecologically sustainable practices by implementing more environmentally-friendly measures within their operations.

By signing of a charter, the cruise companies commit themselves to the Municipality of Cannes and the CCI Nice Côte d’Azur for environmentally friendly stopovers, beyond the national and international regulations.

Cruises are an important link in the economy of Cannes but, for David Lisnard, the protection of the environment is even more, so this is why he plans from 2020 to impose standards of this cruise charter to the totality of the ships anchoring in the bay of Cannes. Their refusal will imply their ban to land in Cannes.

British Virgin Islands enhances efforts within the cruise industry

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 09 July 2019 09 July 2019

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) has enhanced their efforts in the cruise sector and is now set to receive an unexpected boost in passenger arrival for the upcoming 2019/2020 tourist season with the addition of 64,022 passengers.

Starting November 2019 Norwegian Cruise Lines will be adding twelve new BVI calls to their 2019/2020 itinerary, which translates to an estimated 50,000 passenger arrivals for the Territory. As an added bonus Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. will also be adding seven new BVI calls to their itinerary which brings an additional 14,022 passengers to the destination.

The BVI team led by the Minister of Tourism, Premier Hon. Andrew A. Fahie has put forth extensive efforts to revitalize the BVI cruise sector by restoring and enhancing the cruise product and strengthening the Territory’s relationship with its cruise partners. Through regular progressive communications over the past few months, the BVI has been working with Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises among others to increase calls to the Territory and to create new and exciting activities for passengers, infused with authentic cultural experiences.

As an important partner for the BVI in the cruise arena, Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) continues to play a key role in the development of the BVI’s cruise product through creating opportunities to extensively market the product to key demographics and providing access to relevant resources.

“The cruise industry is an integral aspect of the current and future economy for the Territory. From our cruise partners’ point of view, the industry represents a significant investment of time and money, through which they strive to see returns on their investments. As such, our government remains focused on building and maintaining strong mutually beneficial relationships with our industry partners, and finding new, innovative ways to enhance the visitor experience, as this way we create value for everyone,” said Premier Fahie.

According to Hon. Fahie, “The most important thing is for past visitors and those who are yet to visit the BVI to know that the Territory is welcoming visitors, and we look forward to welcoming you soon. Just locate one of our cruise partners and book your next trip for an unforgettable, authentic BVI experience.”

At the close of the 2018/2019 season the BVI is set to receive just over 500,000 passengers and the arrivals in the upcoming seasons are projected to continue to increase. This is a healthy outlook considering the setback to the industry caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.

Global Ports Holding invites proposals for Duty Free and Travel Retail operations at Malaga, Zadar, Cagliari and Catania cruise ports

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 18 July 2019 18 July 2019

Global Ports Holding Plc (GPH), the world’s largest cruise port operator, has announces that it is seeking a Duty Free and Travel Retail partner at four of its ports. The company has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for management of the duty free and retail areas in the ports of Malaga, Zadar, Cagliari and Catania. This is part of GPH’s ambition to provide world-class duty free and duty paid retail across its cruise portfolio.

Cagliari Cruise Port, situated at the Sardinia Island, with the Iberian coast to the west, the Italian coast to the east, and North African coast to the South. It has the advantage of being included on a range of regional cruise itineraries and offers unforgettable experiences to cruise passengers.

Catania Cruise Port located along Sicily Island’s northeast coast, is at the crossroads of major cruise itineraries that pass through the Mediterranean. Catania Cruise Terminal offers transit, inter-porting and homeporting operations.

Málaga Cruise Port was established in 2008 and it includes all three cruise terminals of the Port of Málaga. Málaga is located in a strategic area in Southern Europe, connecting with routes to the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, which in turn make it a gateway to Andalusia.

Zadar Cruise Port is at the historical centre of Dalmatia. With a modern highway network and proximity to the airport, Zadar Cruise Port is an ideal Adriatic port for both transit and turnaround operations.

GPH welcomes proposals to operate any or all of the Duty Free and associated Travel Retail spaces across Malaga Cruise Terminals A & B, Zadar Cruise Terminal, Cagliari Cruise Terminal and Catania Cruise Terminal, on an exclusive basis. The term of the lease is seven years, which includes a transition and construction period. The winning bidder will be responsible for the build and creation of the new store and concession spaces.

Applicants are encouraged to present ideas and concepts that exceed these stated objectives and propose a unique, creative and customer-focused duty free/duty paid travel retail programme.

All interested and qualified operators are asked to register no later than 01 August 2019 by emailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The first edition of the MedCruise Awards took place in Genoa on June 25th, 2019

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 08 July 2019 08 July 2019

The first edition of the MedCruise Awards took place on June 25th, 2019 in Genoa, at Salone di Rappresentanza del Comune. This major cruise event was hosted by founding member, Port of Genoa, today managed by Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority, in a city that offers premier cruise business opportunities in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea.

The MedCruise Awards brought together MedCruise members and associate members as well as their partners, local authorities, Cruise Line executives and international press representatives at the first edition of the MedCruise Awards.

The MedCruise Awards integrated several categories with different juries composed by cruise industry experts, where some prizes were given based on jury members’ opinion and others based on facts. The ceremony started with speeches from the local authorities Stefano Balleari, Deputy Mayor of genoa; Andrea Benveduti, Councillor of Regional Economic Development for Liguria; Marina Monti, Communications and Marketing Director of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority and Doriana Rodino, City Councilior of Culture in Savona. Then, MedCruise President, Airam Díaz Pastor, addressed the audience and greeted Fabio Capocaccia, former President of MedCruise (1997-2002). The prizes were given by the Board of Directors members of MedCruise and its President.

After the ceremony, the distinguished guests that attended the MedCruise Awards, enjoyed a cocktail reception followed by a gala dinner at Terrazza Galata Museo del Mare.

MedCruise President highlighted the importance of the initiative like this event to strength cooperation among the players of our industry and recognise the companies, organisations and individuals who are working harder to promote the sustainable growth of the cruise activities in the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas. “I would like to congratulate all the winners and thank all MedCruise members, associate members, cruise line executives and international press representatives for taking part of the election process and supporting this great event as well as the Board of Directors members of MedCruise for their commitment to the organisation of this great event”, said Díaz Pastor.

Selected categories and winners of the awards:

– Cruise Line Executive Showing the Greatest Commitment during the 52nd MedCruise General Assembly held in La Valletta: Captain Luigi Pastena, Vice President Port Operations, MSC Cruises
– Cruise Line Executive Showing the Greatest Commitment during the 54th MedCruise General Assembly held in Kusadasi: Marcus Puttich, Head of Port & Ground Operations, TUI Cruises
– Best Port from the West Med Region of MedCruise: Port of Barcelona
– Best Port from the Adriatic Sea Region of MedCruise: Port of Dubrovnik
– Best Port from the East Med Region of MedCruise: Port of Piraeus
– Best Port from the Black Sea Region of MedCruise: Port of Odessa
– Associate Member with the Most Efficient Shorex Agent and tour operator: Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services
– Associate Member with the Most Efficient Port Agent: Cemar
– Associate Member with the Most Efficient Cruise Terminal: DP World Limassol
– Associate Member with the Most Proactive Tourist Board/Municipality: VAR Provence Cruise Club
– Lifetime Recognition Award: Giovanni Spadoni, Technical & Commercial Director, Porto di Livorno 2000 and former President of MedCruise (2009-2011)
– Award for the Cruise Line with the Highest Number of Calls in all the MedCruise Regions: MSC Cruises
– Award for the Cruise Line Group/Holding with Highest Number of Calls in all the MedCruise Regions: Carnival Corporation
– Award for the Luxury Cruise Line with the Highest Number of Calls in all the MedCruise Regions: Viking Cruises
– Award for the Cruise Line with the Greatest Commitment to the East Med Region: Celestyal Cruises
– Award for the Cruise Line with the Greatest Investment and Commitment to the Environment and Sustainability: AIDA Cruises
– Award for the Cruise Line with the Greatest Sustainability Program: Costa Cruises
– Award for the Cruise Line with the Highest Attendance in MedCruise General Assemblies: Royal Caribbean Cruises