Ports & destinations

Scottish ports expect record summer 2013

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 19 March 2013 19 March 2013

Scottish ports are set to attract a record-breaking number of passengers this summer – up more than 50% on three years ago when a national study identified the huge potential of the international industry to boost the country’s tourism trade, Cruise Scotland said in a statement.

With 463 vessels scheduled, down three on 2012, the trend to larger ships will help increase the passenger total to an estimated 407,425, up from last year’s best-yet figure of 350,745 when the market was worth around £41 million to the Scottish economy.

The passenger forecast for 2013 is 51.7% up on 2010 when there were 369 calls and 268,481 passengers. That season was followed by publication of a national study, Cruise Tourism in Scotland – The Way Ahead, commissioned by Cruise Scotland and its partners, which identified the potential to quadruple visitor numbers to almost 1.1 million by 2029.

Cruise Scotland Chairman, Richard Alexander, said: “The global industry’s ongoing expansion and intensified and sustained marketing by Cruise Scotland, our members individually and others, along with Scotland’s many attractions, are helping to bring more visitors to Scotland in a very competitive sector.

“However, the continuing growth for UK cruise ports is under potential threat from stricter interpretation of checks by the UK Border Force since last summer on passengers – including EU residents – arriving from foreign ports. This could be a crunch year for industry reaction, with concern already being expressed by cruise lines that this could act as a deterrent to ships calling at UK ports in the future.

Cruise Scotland has 16 full members, including 14 ports and two ground handlers, and two associate members and is continuing to recruit. The organisation is supported by VisitScotland, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Development International and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Cruise Lines making maiden visits to Scottish ports in 2013 include Iberocruceros, at Edinburgh and Invergordon with Grand Mistral, and Carnival Cruise Line, at Invergordon and Greenock with Carnival Legend.

MSC Cruises and Celebrity Cruises which have called previously at Scottish ports have maiden visits in 2013 with their large vessels MSC Magnifica, at Edinburgh, Greenock, Invergordon, Kirkwall and Lerwick, and Celebrity Infinity at Greenock and Invergordon. There are a number of other vessels making maiden calls at our member ports.

Cruise Baltic and SAS extend cooperation agreement

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 13 March 2013 13 March 2013

Association Cruise Baltic and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) will continue as a strategic partner of Cruise Baltic, with a joint agreement for an additional 2-year period 2013/2014, Cruise Baltic said in a statement.

Instrumental in effecting this decision is Elisabeth Milton-Hemmingsen, Scandinavian Airlines’ Vice-President Global B2B Sales, who has worked closely with Cruise Baltic since its formation in 2004.

SAS is the airline of Scandinavia, owned jointly by state and private interests in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Says Bo Larsen, Director, Cruise Baltic: “This commitment made to us by SAS – Europe’s most punctual airline – extending our partnership for a 2-year period, is exceptionally welcome and rewarding news, with considerable benefits to be gained for both sides.”

“By working together in close association and targeting the same source markets, I am confident we can reach our respective objectives, of bringing more visitors – hence grow business – to the Baltic Sea Region.”

New website showcases LA Waterfront at the Port of Los Angeles for tourists and residents

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 12 March 2013 12 March 2013

A new website dedicated to the activities and attractions along the LA Waterfront has been launched by the Port of Los Angeles to help visitors and residents become better acquainted with the growing variety of things to do in and around the LA Harbor.

The site, www.lawaterfront.org , features the LA Waterfront's dining, shopping, historical landmarks, museums and the experience at the doorstep of America's largest trade gateway.

"The LA Waterfront is a great place to play, dine, shop and explore," said Port Senior Communications Director Arley Baker. "This site provides a wealth of information and will help both locals and tourists stay informed and plan their upcoming visit to the area."

The website includes an interactive map of attractions http://www.lawaterfront.org/attractions.php , a calendar of events, the latest LA Waterfront news, information on upcoming LA Waterfront projects and more. There's also links to other visitor resources in San Pedro and Wilmington.

Cruise Baltic reports 5.6% rise in 2012 passenger volume

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 13 March 2013 13 March 2013

Network Cruise Baltic has used the platform of Cruise Shipping Miami this week to announce the positive results of its Market Review 2013. The survey, conducted amongst all the Cruise Baltic destinations (27) - including data from additional destinations St Petersburg, Kiel and Riga – reports on 2012 results and those anticipated in 2013.

The figures presented in the report for 2012 are based on a collection of data from amongst ports in the Baltic Sea region as of February 2013. A summary includes:

•the number of passengers has increased by 5.6%

•the number of calls has increased by 7.1%

•the number of turnarounds has increased by 10.4%

•Copenhagen has experienced the largest numbers in terms of passengers, calls and turnarounds

Says Bo Larsen, Cruise Baltic Director: “By including the ports of St Petersburg, Kiel and Riga in our survey we wanted to ensure that we remain the ‘first port of call’ for our cruise industry colleagues who are looking for a comprehensive overview on developments in the Baltic Sea region.”

From 2000 to 2012

- the number of passengers to the region has increased by an average annual rate of 11.6% - from 1.1 million in 2000 to 4.2 million in 2012. Looking ahead to 2013 it is anticipated that the number of passengers will increase with a growth rate of 4.7%, representing an estimated increase of approximately 196,000 passengers, to more than 4.3million.

- the number of calls has increased by an average annual rate of 4.3% per year - from 1,532 in 2000, to 2,532 in 2012. In 2013 a 1.6% increase is anticipated to 2,573 calls.

- the number of turnarounds increased by an average annual rate of 9.4% - from 106 in 2000 to 312 in 2012. However, a decrease of 4.6% is expected in 2013, from 437 in 2012 and an estimated 417 in 2013.

In 2012, three of the top five ports (most passenger visits) saw growth: Stockholm has increased with the highest growth rate with 4.0% from 2011 to 2012 = 470,000; Copenhagen with a 2.6% increase since 2011 = 840,000 in 2012; and Tallinn with a small growth of 0.7% in 2012 = 440,504.

Expectations vary for 2013 however overall these are positive, looking at an increase of 5.0%. The number of calls in 2012 increased in four of the top five ports. Stockholm increased the most with 4.2%; Helsinki with 2.7%; Copenhagen with 1.1%m and Tallinn with 0.3%.

In 2012 Copenhagen was the largest turnaround port with figures of 173; Kiel with 125 – a growth of 8.7%; Rostock 53; Stockholm 50 – an increase of 28.8%; and Gothenburg 13 (almost doubling from 7 to 13)

In the Large segment comprising Kristiansand, Visby, Gothenburg, Gdynia, Riga, Kiel, Oslo and Rostock – those with between 50 - 199 calls - growth continues, 15.4% in 2012 from 1,244,282 passengers in 2011 to 1,436,252 in 2012.

The Medium segment, with between 25 – 49 calls – Gdansk, Klaipeda and Rønne have seen massive growth of 44.0% in 2012, from 46,360 passengers in 2011 to 66,870 in 2012. Rønne has experienced the strongest growth from 2011 to 2012 with 75.3%%

Overall the passenger growth in the Small segment, 0-24 calls, was 4.2% in 2012, however, with great variation within the group. In 2013 a massive increase of 53.2% is expected in this segment.

Bo Larsen comments: “These positive figures for the 2012 season collectively are a true and realistic result, however, as with the rest of the industry, double-digit growth has not been achievable, compared to the last 10 years. Considering the tough economic climate, we are pleased to have seen positive growth in 2012 and expect even more in 2013.

“Our objective at Cruise Baltic is to ensure that we continue to motivate and educate our partners and provide them with the right knowledge and access to information, enabling them to work together as a unified and collective force in the Baltic Sea region. This will result in increasing revenue from our existing, loyal cruise passenger base and hopefully attract more.”

Cruise Baltic is a network of cruise destinations in the Baltic Sea offering easy access to 10 countries on a string with an ocean of adventures. The association - started in 2004 with 12 destinations, headed by Director Bo Larsen - has now grown to 27 destinations

UK ports attracted 11% more cruise passengers in 2012

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 12 March 2013 12 March 2013

More passengers than ever before are visiting Great Britain through the country’s 52 cruise ports. Figures released today by CruiseBritain show that in 2012 more than 100 ships visited the UK. And these ships brought a record 723,000 passengers on day calls, a rise of 11 per cent, the organisation said in a statement.

The year 2012 also saw 962,000 passengers begin their cruise at a UK port, a 10 per cent increase on 2011, with 84 per cent of passengers being British.

In all, 47 different cruise lines tied up in a UK port in 2012 with passengers taking day trips to a variety of destinations across the country. Britain’s island geography makes Round Britain cruises an unusual and unique itinerary option and allows visitors to explore coasts, castles, cities and countryside in one easy visit.

Plus, Britain’s geographical proximity to complementary countries offers additional choice for a wide range of lines and ships. From expedition cruises to boutique ships, British-focussed to German, North American, French and Spanish-focussed lines, Britain is growing in appeal.

‘The growth in both cruise ship visits and passenger numbers is a continued testament to Britain’s value as a cruise destination’ commented Kate O’Hara, Chair CruiseBritain. ‘Since 2004, we have seen the number of visiting passengers more than double and the number of different cruise ships calling has gone from 76 to 105, a rise of 38 per cent.

The uniqueness of Round Britain cruises together with our diverse regional history, heritage, culture and scenery ensure our continued success. Britain’s destinations deliver an excellent passenger experience and we all work towards delivering a smooth operation for the cruise lines,’ added O’Hara.