Ports & destinations

Australian government grants AUD13 million to Norfolk Island cruise infrastructure

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 09 June 2013 09 June 2013

The Australian Government has announced a AUD13 million infrastructure grant to Norfolk Island, which will include a jetty and other facilities that will make cruise calls to this gem of the South Pacific more certain, P&O Cruises Australia said on Facebook.

“The infrastructure grant is a positive step that will also ensure the Norfolk Island economy shares in the benefits of cruising,” the company said.

Norfolk Island is located north of New Zealand and it is a self governing territory within the Commonwealth of Australia. Its land area is 34.6sqkm and its population is in the region of 2,300.

Six percent increase in cruise passenger throughput at Valencia in January-May

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 05 June 2013 05 June 2013

ACCIONA Trasmediterranea, Valencia’s cruise port manager, has reported, on 24 June 2013, that in the first five months of this year there had been 74 cruise calls at the port of Valencia, 12 more than the same period last year. Alan Lam reports.

The total passenger number for the period from January to May reached 140,000, representing a 6% increase on 132,000 of 2012. During the month of May alone the port welcomed 31 cruise calls.

Under the ACCIONA management, the port of Valencia has been attracting a good deal of attention from major cruise lines.

Analysts believe that a number of reasons may be attributed to the popularity of Valencia in a depressed market. While the recent investment on the terminal upgrade may have been an obvious appeal, the cruise operators’ itinerary planning based on “more ports and shorter distance” in the light of high fuel prices is a major factor. We expect this trend to continue for the foreseeable future.

Cruise Copenhagen Network focuses on new strategy to increase cruise guests to one million by 2015

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 07 June 2013 07 June 2013

The recent annual Cruise Copenhagen Network (CCN) General Assembly - held at the Danish capital’s Tivoli Gardens – attracted an attendance of over 60 partners, who gathered together not only to review and evaluate 2012 activity but also to discuss a new and innovative 3-year strategy for ‘the way forward’ looking to 2015.

The overview of 2012 activity highlighted significant successes, including: the design of newly-branded marketing material for 2013 and the enrolment of three new CCN partners, the Designmuseum Danmark, Vedde Turistfart and the Port of Hundested.

To assist with plans for strengthening the CCN strategy over the next three years, a Panel was formed to discuss and identify the best direction for ‘the way forward’. Those participants included: Janus Krarup – Municipality of Copenhagen, Arnt Møller Petersen – CMP, Nick Courtney – BDP, Henrik Bendix – Strömma, Allan Agerholm – Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers, Karim Nielsen – Brøchner Hotels, Jesper Thomas Møller – Christiansborg and Kronborg Castle, Lars Bech – VisitAalborg

Says Bo Larsen, CCN Director: “We shall continue to strive to become the industry’s best organized destination network and target all new opportunities which exist. However, whilst we are very proud of our achievements to date, we have to be realistic and address head on the considerable challenges, which face us in Copenhagen. These range from the current tough economic environment, our relatively short season cancel short season and the legislative issues in the Baltic Sea region, to how to improve infrastructure and logistics for our cruise passengers – especially with the completion next year of a new pier and terminal buildings. We need to protect existing business at the same time as target new, looking at growing international source markets such as Australia.

“Through our efforts we anticipate an average passenger growth of 5-7% by 2015, however, we have to focus on enhancing both the quality of the Copenhagen experience and collaboration at destination level. We aim to achieve these goals by being more assertive, combining cruise intelligence and the knowledge of our partners – particularly those in the commercial product sector, shops, hotels etc.. - with making innovative improvements.”

In recognition of his commitment to the Danish cruise industry and his innovative solutions on behalf of the Cruise Copenhagen Network, Luis De Carvalho from Consult DC was recognised at the Assembly as CCN’s ‘Most Valuable Partner 2012’.

Second cruise terminal opens in Piraeus

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 03 June 2013 03 June 2013

The Port of Piraeus has opened a second cruise terminal. Called Themistocles, it will complement the already existing terminal called Miaoulis and together the two can handle 25,000 passengers per day, the port said in a statement.

“By 2017, we will have completed all works for the Cultural Coast of Piraeus, turning the port into the main gate of Tourism and Culture of the country, and all the works of port and inland infrastructure to accommodate cruise ships and their passengers,” said George Anomeritis, CEO of the port company, adding then,  a third cruise terminal will be in service as well.

“2013 will be another good year for the cruise industry to the Greek ports, since already in the first four months of the year passenger traffic at Piraeus has increased by 25%,” the port said.

Meanwhile, Piraeus received EN ISO 9001:2008 and EN ISO 14001:2004 quality certifications for its cruise operations from Lloyds Register and Bureau Veritas, two classification societies.