Ports & destinations

Port of Kiel expands facilities for big cruise ships

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 11 March 2013 11 March 2013

The Port of Kiel in Germany, which is the third largest turnaround port for cruises in northern Europe - is expanding its handling capacities for cruise ships. Construction work for the extension of Berth No.1 at Ostuferhafen has begun, so that large cruise ships can dock there already this summer.

Dr Dirk Claus, Managing Director of the Port of Kiel. “The shipping routes of northern Europe attract more and more big cruise ships as well as a constantly increasing number of tourists.Through enhancing our capacities we offer our customers planning reliability and an excellent basis for continuing growth.” By extending Berth No. 1, three very big cruise ships can moor in Kiel at the same time for passenger turnaround. In addition, Kiel offers further handling capacities for several smaller cruise ships.

Dirk Claus: “In a first step, Berth No.1 will relieve our existing cruise terminal Ostseekai regarding stop-overs before passenger turnaround will be handled at this berth next year.” Berth No. 1 will receive its premiere when the “Eurodam” of Holland America Line will dock there on 09 June 2013.

The extended cruise Berth No.1 has a quay length of 395 m with a constant water depth of 10.50 m. The facility is going to be certified according to the international ISPS Code and comes with all equipment for vessel provisioning. Furthermore, the fenders at Berth No. 1 will be adapted to the requirements of particularly large ships and a passenger gangway will be installed by the end of May.

For future luggage handling, an area of 2,500 m² will be redesigned in the hall adjacent to the berth. The passenger terminal area will be set up in a light-flooded pavilion of more than 1,500 m², extending the hall towards the water front. All in all, the terminal is designed for handling vessels with up to 4,000 passengers.

Dirk Claus: “With Berth No. 1, we provide shipping companies with best conditions – in nautical and operational respect. The total package is extremely advantageous and will strengthen Kiel’s competitive position.” For the very first time, embarking passengers will have the opportunity to park their cars directly at the terminal building for the duration of their journey. The Ostuferhafen offers an adequate number of parking spaces within the security zone.

Floating cruise pier to be built at Geiranger

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 07 March 2013 07 March 2013

Stranda Port Authority has decided to build a SeaWalk, a floating pier system – which will enable cruise passengers to walk directly ashore into Geiranger town centre. The project will be completed in June this year, the port said in a statement.

“Clearly, this will strengthen Geirangerfjord as a leading cruise destination,” says Rita Berstad Maraak, Port Director at Stranda Port Authority.

Geirangerfjord is Norway’s second largest cruise port, and receives approximately 300,000 cruise tourists annually. The number of cruisepassengers in the fjord is expected to double in the next 10 years. The ships are growing ever bigger, and have up to now anchored in the fjord while passengers have been taken ashore in small boats. These tender operations take time, are costly and are not very environmentally friendly.

The time-consuming tender operations have caused many passengers to remain on board ship. With simpler shore access, more passengers will go ashore. This will increase the customer base for local businesses. Stranda Port Authoritybelieve this venture will also create a marketing base for developing even better services in the tourism experience industry – such as excursions, activities and gastronomic experiences. Satisfaction ratings for Geirangerfjord are high. In some customer satisfaction surveys, some cruise lines also rate Geirangerfjord on a par with St. Petersburg and the highest in the world.

The World Heritage fjord in Geiranger has been a magnet for tourists for generations. But new times bring with them new demands. The SeaWalk project therefore represents a valuable contribution to the development and quality assurance of the Geirangerfjord as one of the world’s most unique tourist destinations.

“A SeaWalk will significantly reduce emissions and discharges in the fjord. For Stranda Port Authority, it is important that we stay ahead of developments and take seriously the challenges facing us as a result of increasing numbers of passengers and ever larger ships. Otherwise, we will find ourselves being directed by the environmental authorities and/or others to take action before long,” says the Port Director.

The building of SeaWalk will be fully financed by the company SeaWalk Geiranger AS, which will also be financially responsible for operations. SeaWalk Geiranger is locally rooted with substantial investors and the company will be further strengthened in the time ahead. The cruise lines will have to pay a fee for using the SeaWalk.

The SeaWalk will be built to connect with the current tender piers in Geiranger town centre, and is scheduled for completion in June this year, provided that all official permissions are in place. The installation will supplement Hellesylt Quay, which was finished last year and which has been specially designed to receive large cruise ships.

Brisbane city council votes in favour of “mega cruise ship terminal”

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 01 March 2013 01 March 2013

The city council in Melbourne, Australia, has voted in favour of the construction of a cruise ship terminal big enough to handle ships the size of Cunard Line’s 345 metre long Queen Mary 2, the Australian reports on its website.

However, it may take a decade before the facility becomes reality. At the moment, only vessels with a maximum length of 270 metres can berth in the Queensland port. “The project is part of a wider draft Pinkenba/Eagle Farm neighbourhood plan - a document Brisbane councillors approved at a council meeting on Tuesday night,” the Australian said.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk says a world class cruise terminal is essential for the city's economic development. "From both an economic and tourism point of view it makes sense that we have a terminal that not only harbours the big ships but also shows the best of Brisbane when people dock," he told AAP

UK ports seen to embark 1 million passengers 2013

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 04 March 2013 04 March 2013

The number of passengers boarding a cruise ship at a British port is forecast to rise above the one million mark for the first time this year, Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) forecasts.

“The fourth double-digit increase in cruise passenger embarkations in just seven years puts British ports on course to hit the million mark in 2013,’ PSA said in a statement. The year 2012 was a record year for UK cruise ports as passenger embarkations increased 10% to 962,000.

“We feel 2012’s record results for British ports are particularly remarkable and we very much look forward to seeing UK ports achieve the million mark in 2013, and the associated economic benefits that this will bring to the country,’ PSA director Bill Gibbons said in the statement.

Carnival Cruise Lines, Port of New Orleans agree to three-year extension

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 28 February 2013 28 February 2013

Carnival Cruise Lines recently signed a three-year extension of its berthing agreement with the Port of New Orleans, which will keep two Carnival cruise ships sailing year round from New Orleans through at least Feb. 12, 2016.

"This agreement continues to demonstrate Carnival’s commitment to the New Orleans market as a top homeport for its customers," said Gary LaGrange, Port President and CEO. "Carnival is a valued partner for the Port and for the City and we look forward to continuing to build upon our past success."

The agreement officially commenced on Feb. 13, 2013 and runs through Feb. 12, 2016 with two, one-year options to extend the agreement.

"Carnival Cruise Lines currently carries 340,000 passengers annually from the Port of New Orleans, which consistently ranks as one of the most popular homeports among our guests," said Gerry Cahill, Carnival’s president and CEO. "This agreement builds upon our outstanding relationship with the Port and the New Orleans community and we look forward to continuing to sail from such a highly rated and attractive homeport," he added.

"We are grateful to Carnival for their long-term commitment to New Orleans, which is another milestone in an exciting time for our City’s $5 billion tourism industry," said Kim Priez, Vice President of Tourism for the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. "We promise Carnival the CVB’s continued support as we attract cruise passengers to enjoy two vacations in one."

Carnival currently has two ships home-ported in New Orleans year round sailing from the Port’s Erato Street Cruise Terminal. The 2,974-passenger Carnival Conquest sails seven-day eastern and western Caribbean itineraries, while the 2,052-passenger Carnival Elation sails four- and five-day cruises to Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico. Beginning in November 2013, New Orleans will become the homeport for Carnival Sunshine, which will have undergone an extensive $155 million refurbishment that will add a wide variety of dining, bar and entertainment innovations and spectacular top-deck amenities.

A recent study by Cruise Lines International Association found the cruise industry accounted for $280 million in direct spending in 2011, up 35 percent compared to 2010. The study also found the industry generated 5,512 jobs and $211 million in income in Louisiana.

A study commissioned by the Port in 2011 found cruise passengers in New Orleans stay an average of 1.8 nights in area hotels either before or after their cruise and spent another $27.9 million on lodging, food, beverage and incidental spending.