Ports & destinations

Valletta Cruise Port plc appoints new CEO

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 03 June 2014 03 June 2014

Valletta Cruise Port plc the operator of the Valletta Cruise Terminal and of the Valletta Waterfront announces the appointment of Stephen Xuereb as the Chief Executive Officer of the Group with effect from the 1st of June 2014. Mr. Xuereb succeeds Mr. John Portelli who has been at the helm of the Company over the past 5 years.

Mr. Xuereb, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Accountants and a Henley MBA graduate, played a central role in Valletta Cruise Port plc’s success (formerly Viset Malta plc) since its inception in 2002. Mr. Xuereb’s current role is that of Group’s Chief Finance Officer, a position he has occupied since 2009. He has been responsible for the setting up of the finance and administration function, overseeing the financing of the €37million capital intensive project, as well as playing an active role in developing the cruise line business in Malta. He is also responsible from the travel retail operations within the Group. Mr. Xuereb has over 20 years senior management experience, twelve of which in the cruise line industry.

Speaking on behalf of the Board of Directors, Mr. Joseph Zammit Tabona, Chairman of Valletta Cruise Port plc, thanked Mr. Portelli for his sterling service to the Company during his term in office whilst welcoming Mr. Xuereb in his new role. Mr. Zammit Tabona added that Mr. Xuereb is being entrusted to deliver Valletta Cruise Port plc’s vision to be one of the leading cruise ports in the Mediterranean.

Mr. Xuereb stated that the cruise industry in Malta can only grow through the provision of consistently superior level of service and a unified effort from all stakeholders to promote and support the cruise line business. Ensuring that Valletta Waterfront remains a prime leisure and entertainment destination is also consistent to and critical in achieving such vision concluded Mr. Xuereb.

MedCruise gathers in Castellon

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 27 May 2014 27 May 2014

Ports form all over Southern Europe have gathered in Castellon, attending the major event of the cruise sector this Spring, the 44th MedCruise General Assembly.

The General Assembly of the Association representing more than 100 ports in the Med and its adjoining seas started on Wednesday 21 May 2014, with 125 participants from 66 MedCruise members welcoming on Thursday three additional port to the MedCruise family.

The three new members are Istanbul, Taranto and Trabzon.

The GA also welcomed two new associate members, Allegra Montenegro and B&A Europe. Following the new expansion,

MedCruise represents ports that host more than 28 million cruise passenger movements, while several cruise related companies and agents have joined its associate members program. During his opening speech, Stavros Hatzakos, MedCruise President, emphasised that through the active participation of its member the expanding MedCruise gains in strength and allows representing Med Ports around the globe. Praising the positive outcome of the intervention made by the join CLIA Europe-MedCruise statement in October 2013, and the move of the European Commission to simplify visa code for third-country visitors to the Schengen passport-free area the MedCruise President emphasised that through collaboration, the cruise industry and the port industry might only benefit and expand cruise activities.

As Stavros Hatzakos noted MedCruise advances the collaboration with cruise lines executives through their presence in our general assemblies but “We want to do this through collaboration with the association representing cruise lines around the world as well."

He went on to detail the desired nature of the latter: “This collaboration needs to respect the fundamentals of the market. In each sector there are always the interests of those demanding services and the interests of those supplying services. While each side advocates its interests through the respective associations, and should continue to do so, collaboration is essential. Collaboration can be better done when ports in the Med and its adjoining seas proceed in engagement collectively through MedCruise."

MedCruise members gathered in Castellón discussed the latest developments in the cruise sector, and planed together for the future. The highlight of the first day was the Round table devoted to Sustainable Cruise, with the Participation of Rob Ashdown (CLIA Europe Secretary General), Elisabetta Pinna, (Costa Crociere), Manos Shinakis, ("Sustainable Cruise" Project), Stavros Hatzakos (MedCruise President), Thanos Pallis (MedCruise Secretary General) and the intervention of Dimitrios Theologitis, Director for Ports and Port Policy of the European Commission.

The session explored first the potential of cruise ports and cruise lines to work together at local level and create clever and innovative solutions referring to waste reception facilities and waste collection practices at sea and ashore.

Discussion then moved to the ways that policies at international level might facilitate ‘Green cruise ports’. Rob Ashdown focused on the need for sophisticated, market driven practices and policies, rather than top-down approaches, wheres Stavros Hatzakos mentioned the importance of networking.

The second day started with a Ports & Cruise Lines Session on “Cruising the West Med”. Miguel Rojo Orte, Castellón Port, reported the progress taking place at the local ports, with the intervention followed by presentations by Simon Dowes, Holland America Line, Kay-Uwe Maross, AIDA Cruises, and Michael Pawlus, Silversea Cruises.

Simon Dowes, Holland America Line, noted that 2014 is a good year for Holland America in Europe. When Europe has more port class than any other region, South European Ports rate high. Yet rates suggests that there is still room for improvement Simon also noted that fuel costs are a major issue, especially when ECA implemented. The advantage of ports in the Med is that operations are comparatively cheap, i.e. Alaska costs twice as much comparing to operation in the Med.

A third major issue discussed is ECA, as deployment shifts related to ECA are expected in the near future. While the Med might even been positively affected by operational restrictions to be applied in other parts of the world, there is a note of caution, because increased port time increases fuel costs - when low speed excursions take place, and port profitability is on the table.

Presetning Aida Cruises deployment strategy, Kay-Uwe Maross focused on seasonal deployment,track of cruises, the absense of interporting, the search for variety of countries, the significance of slow steaming, and the cost / revenue optimization

Michael Pawlus, Silversea Cruises, focused among others on the parameters of success, including in its list, Guests interest and satisfaction, Port costs and fuel costs, Evening and overnight calls, Mixture of experiences, Shore excursion selections, and marketability.

BVI Ports Authority calls for letters of interest for Cruise Pier Commercial Space

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 28 May 2014 28 May 2014

The British Virgin Islands Ports Authority (BVIPA) is asking all businesspersons who are seeking to lease commercial spaces at the new cruise pier development, to send letters of interest to the Authority.

The letters of interest should state the name of the business owner, type of business operation and required square footage.
Physical letters, referenced “Letter of Interest - Cruise Pier Commercial Space”, should be addressed to:

BVI Ports Authority
P.O. Box 4 Road Town,
Tortola VG1110

Letters can also be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and subject line should also be referenced: “Letter of Interest - Cruise Pier Commercial Space”. For more information, contact the Authority via telephone 494-3435.

The BVI Ports Authority is responsible for the Territory’s cruise infrastructure and is forging ahead with the new cruise pier and landside development to be completed by Summer 2015.

The unique and modern cruise pier facility will deliver a memorable, world- class, environmentally compatible and sustainable development that features commercial, entertainment and green spaces.

Holland America Line named Marine Environmental Business of the Year by Port of Seattle

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 24 May 2014 24 May 2014

Holland America Line was named the 2014 Marine Environmental Business of the Year by the Port of Seattle. Port commissioner Courtney Gregoire presented the award to Keith Taylor, senior vice president, fleet operations, at the Seattle Propeller Club's Maritime Festival Lunch held Tuesday, May 13, 2014, aboard Carnival Miracle, which was docked at Port of Seattle.

The cruise line was recognized for its efforts to reduce its global environmental footprint through a series of objectives that greatly reduce consumption of fuel and water, engine emissions and generation of solid waste, along with increasing recycling across its fleet of 15 ships.

"Holland America Line is a company that takes corporate citizenship to heart, and we are honored to be recognized by the Port of Seattle for our efforts," said Stein Kruse, Holland America Line's president and chief executive officer. "We remain steadfast in a firm belief that we can grow our company while employing responsible business practices for sustainable ship operations - and keep improving on our efforts."

Holland America Line also was named Environmental Business of the Year in 2010 and this year received the highest level of the Green Gateway Partner Award from the Port of Seattle in March 2014 for its use of shore power and comprehensive practices to reduce emissions. Every year Holland America Line sets goals and targets for its fleet that include decreasing fuel consumption, conserving energy, reducing the loss of refrigerant gasses, increasing recycling and decreasing water use.

The only cruise line recipient of the Rear Admiral William M. Benkert Environmental Protection Award from the U.S. Coast Guard in 2012, Holland America Line's ships meet or exceed all provisions of the international regulations governing the environmental management of marine operations. But the company aims for superior environmental performance while operating responsibly via a firm promise to reduce all forms of pollution through improved policies, scientifically sound practices, consistent training of employees and innovative technology.

The company is among the pioneers in the maritime industry when it comes to investing in technology to reduce engine emissions while a ship is at berth. Six of the 15 Holland America Line ships - ms Amsterdam, ms Veendam, ms Noordam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, and ms Zuiderdam - use shore power at the ports of Seattle, San Diego and Port Metro Vancouver.

Holland America Line has a partnership with Marine Conservation Institute, a globally focused nonprofit organization based in Washington State dedicated to maintaining healthy, living oceans. The program includes guest and staff education, funding for marine conservation biology research, and a sustainable seafood program with environmentally responsible purchasing practices and menus that showcase sustainable seafood.

"Congratulations to the more than 16,000 worldwide employees at Holland America Line for receiving this esteemed award," said Courtney Gregoire, co-President of the Port of Seattle Commission. "Through hard work and dedication, Holland America Line has made a true commitment to environmental stewardship."

Holland America Line ships have been sailing from the Port of Seattle since the early 1970s. In May 2002, Holland America Line began using Seattle as a homeport for Alaska cruises. This year the company has two ships based in Seattle sailing 32 Alaska cruises from May through September.