Departments

New Managing Director for Cruise Gate Hamburg GmbH

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 03 June 2020 03 June 2020

Cruise Gate Hamburg GmbH (CGH) will be seeing a change in leadership at the top level. From July 1st, 2020, Simone Maraschi (45) will complement the management of CGH to succeed Sacha Rougier, who is moving abroad at the end of June for personal reasons.

Simone Maraschi has outstanding expertise in the international cruise business. He currently heads the Cruise Department for all German and Polish ports at Sartori and Berger, integrated service providers for all sectors in the maritime industry, and is in close contact with cruise lines and service providers from all areas of cruising. Previously, Simone Maraschi was responsible for marketing and sales within the DACH region at the Italian Ferry Company Grandi Navi Veloci/Grimaldi. "I am convinced that tourism and the cruise industry will emerge from the current situation stronger than before," says Simone Maraschi. "I am optimistic about the future and I look forward to my new duties and close co-operation with the cruise lines, the city and the highly committed team of CGH.”

Sacha Rougier took over the Management of CGH as Managing Director in February 2015. She was able to achieve continuous success in the development of Hamburg as a cruise destination including growth figures for calls and passengers well above the European average. Rougier made a significant contribution to positioning Hamburg internationally as a top cruise destination as well as in promoting Hamburg's cruise expertise in the areas of sustainability, infrastructure and terminal operations on an international level.

"Over the last few years, Sacha Rougier has succeeded in establishing an efficient and sustainable overall structure for the cruise destination Hamburg, which regularly serves as a benchmark for other ports. We express our thanks to her for her tireless commitment," says Jens Meier. Rougier is leaving the CGH at her own request and will move abroad. "This was certainly not an easy decision to make," says Sacha Rougier. "I have a great team at CGH, with whom I envisaged and achieved a great amount in the last few years."

Yucatan maintains strong relationship with cruise industry in North America and Caribbean

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 27 May 2020 27 May 2020

As part of its strategy amid the COVID-19 crisis for attracting more tourists to Yucatán State and ensuring the permanence of cruise line itineraries that call there, Michelle Fridman, the state’s tourism minister, says Yucatán’s government has connected with cruise companies, port authorities and tour operators in North America and the Caribbean through an informative newsletter detailing the destination's support for the cruise industry.

To that end, the debut Yucatán Cruise Newsletter aims to maintain promotion and interest in the Port of Progreso, the state’s main port of call, as a leisure cruise destination. The newsletter reports activities, statistics and projections related to the cruise industry in Yucatan.

From 2015 to 2019, Progreso increased its reception of cruise ships with the arrival of 30 additional vessels, representing growth of 47.8% in the volume of annual passengers received. Passenger numbers rose to 470,418 in 2019, compared to 318,234 in 2015, an increase of 152,184 registered passengers, which places Progreso sixth among ports with the highest reception of cruise passengers in Mexico.

The State of Yucatán has extended its support to the cruise industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a humanitarian response, the Port of Progreso welcomed the Gulden Leeuw school ship, allowing 50 crew members to disembark and return to their homes. As cruise ports closed globally, Progreso showed solidarity by allowing 48 British passengers to disembark Marella Cruises’ Marella Explorer 2 ship on March 31. The Mexican Navy oversaw the transfer using maximum health-security maneuvers, directing passengers to Mérida International Airport and sending them home on charter flights.

Progreso continues with its port improvement plan and other urban projects. 53.4 million Mexican pesos (about U.S. $2.4 million) have been invested in the first part of the urban improvements in Progresso’s tourist area to provide passengers with areas for fun and recreation while visiting the state. Despite the COVID-19 outbreak, the “Puerta Progreso” project continues and construction work is expected to resume, with completion later this year of exhibition areas, a restaurant and a beach club. All these improvements, along with the new International Malecon, confirm the Port of Progreso as one of the best destinations for attracting more tourists to the State.

As part of its commitment to the cruise industry, the Yucatán Tourism Board maintains its membership in the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) and continues to participate in its events, such as the first FCCA PAMAC session in Jamaica and Puerto Rico in 2020 and the Seatrade Cruise Global 2021.

Significant efforts to strengthen the global industry have also been undertaken by the private sector, including the “Destination Together” platform, whereby tour operators compare data and talk and interact to be ready when cruises return to Caribbean destinations.

In addition, tour operators and local private companies continue to strengthen other tourist attractions throughout Yucatán State, offering different experiences such as archaeological, nature and colonial jewelry micro-destinations near Progreso, to ensure that overseas visitors know more of what the state has to offer.

Puerto Vallarta to start re-opening on May 18

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 17 May 2020 17 May 2020

The city of Puerto Vallarta will start its reopening process on May 18h as the State of Jalisco enters Phase 0 of its COVID-19 recovery plan on Monday, May 18. Phase 0 will last at least 15 days and allow for the gradual return of some economic activities. It is the first step in preparing protocols for the next phases of the plan. During this time, social distancing, and the use of face masks outside the home will remain mandatory. Stores, public roads, and businesses previously deemed non-essential that are linked to supply chains are allowed to operate at 50 percent of capacity. Select businesses that do not generate crowds and adhere to social distancing guidelines will also be permitted to open.

Beaches, public spaces, shopping malls, bars, and nightclubs will remain closed. Restaurants and cafes that commit to applying established sanitation and safety protocols may operate at 50 percent of their capacity.

Hotel services such as access to swimming pools, bars, gyms, beach clubs, and private beaches remain suspended at this time. Cleaning, sanitizing, and disease prevention measures are in place at Puerto Vallarta International Airport, the cruise port, on public transportation, in supermarkets, and in government offices which are providing limited services. Local authorities are working closely with the travel sector to progressively implement updated protocols to support the transition to the next phase of recovery.

“Tourism is a very important industry in our state, and we are looking forward to welcoming back international visitors when the time is right,” said German Ralis, Minister of Tourism of the State of Jalisco. “However, we remain very cautious with our plans for re-opening Jalisco, including popular tourism destinations like Puerto Vallarta, to ensure that the safest and cleanest conditions await guests upon their return.”

Throughout Phase 0, the government will continue to monitor the number of new cases identified and the ability to isolate and provide contact tracing for individuals who test positive, in order to determine when the state can proceed to the next phase of opening. More information will be available it the coming weeks.

Norway provides new guidance on holiday and leisure travel

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 17 May 2020 17 May 2020

Norwegian health authorities issued updated guidance on May 15 on holiday and leisure travel in Norway. The new guidance will help to make travelling in Norway this summer a safe experience. Also on May 15, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended its own travel advice, continuing to caution against non-essential travel to all countries. As it stands, this advice will remain in effect until 20 August. By 15 June, however, consideration will be given to amending the travel advice as it pertains to the Nordic countries. By 20 July, consideration will be given to amending it for certain other nearby European countries.

Galveston Wharves, Corps ink agreement on channel deepening project

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 12 May 2020 12 May 2020

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will complete engineering and design resulting in a set of plans and specification ready for solicitation to deepen the last 2,571 feet the Galveston Ship Channel to 46 feet under a design agreement signed with the Galveston Wharves today. If Federal construction funding is received, channel dredging could initiate as early as 2021.

“Deepening and expanding the western portion of the channel will allow us to accommodate larger cargo ships, which will bring regional economic benefits, as well as more port revenues and jobs,” said Galveston Wharves CEO and Port Director Rodger Rees.

The Corps estimates an average annual benefit of $1.6 million from the $13.4 million Galveston Harbor Channel Extension project. The 25-percent local match of approximately $3.3 million will be funded equally by the Galveston Wharves and Texas International Terminals.

“The Design Agreement is significant in that it permits Galveston District to initiate the design for this critical important project. Design was initiated on May 5, 2020,” said Dionicio (Dee) Gonzales, Project Manager for USACE - Galveston District.

The Corps will continue to maintain the federally owned 3.8-mile-long channel, which currently has a depth of 46 feet and an additional 2,571 feet at a depth of 41-feet.

Rees added, “This project supports our recently adopted Strategic Master Plan, which includes expanding cargo operations on the western end of the port. We greatly value our strong partnership with the Corps and their support.”