Departments

New cruise facility for the Port of Valencia

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

The Port Authority of Valencia (PAV) has put out to tender the administrative concession for the construction and operation of the new public passenger terminal of the port of Valencia. This infrastructure will be located in a total area of approximately 100,000 m2 located between the Poniente Pier and the Espigón del Turia Pier, in the area previously occupied by the Unión Naval de Levante. The concession will be granted for a term of 35 years, extendable up to a maximum of 50 years. The deadline for submitting an offer ends on April 17.

In accordance with the tender specifications, the new terminal will be used to serve cruise traffic, regular lines with the Balearic Islands and Algeria as well as ro-ro traffic. For this, the new terminal must have at least four berths, allowing at least one of them the berth of a cruise of 360 meters in length and another berth of at least 250 meters in length. All berths must be equipped with a power supply network for ships. The terminal must be able to accommodate two cruise ships on the same day, one in the base port regime and the other in transit, and two ferry / ro-pax ships.

A secure and accessible terminal

Given its characteristics, the new terminal must guarantee the independent operation of cruise passengers and passengers of regular lines. Likewise, the specifications include a building for the reception of passengers with an entrance hall, luggage storage area, security control equipped with X-rays and metal detection arches, space for customs and for the bodies and security forces of the State. With regard to the terminal’s own services, the specifications provide that, at a minimum, it provides space for sanitation, waiting area, gateways for access from the boarding passage to the ship and vice versa with security cameras, wi-fi , tourist office, public toilets area, crew rest room and check-in area for cruise lines. Optionally, the concessionaire may provide other services such as office for the PAV, area for large groups, warehouses, VIP area, catering area, commercial area, vending, ATMs, vehicle rental areas or prayer room. The design of the terminal must guarantee accessibility for people with reduced mobility.

With regard to the outside area, the terminal must have a short-stay parking area with at least 100 seats, bus station area and collective transport with at least 10 seats, taxi rank. Likewise, it will have a waiting area for international regular line tickets for Operation Paso del Estrecho with 600 parking spaces, children’s recreational area and restaurant and services area. The new terminal will have two independent accesses: that of heavy vehicles that will arrive through the South Access and that of light vehicles that will enter the terminal through the access provided by the citizen.

Buildings of historical value

The ordination of the new terminal must respect the four elements of the former shipyard of the Naval Union of Levante cataloged by the Demetrio Ribes Chair as pieces of artistic historical value. Specifically, it is the water tank, the construction stage of ships, 2 cranes that can be placed in another location and sub-A of the ship III. In the latter case, the PAV will undertake the rehabilitation of the structure, facade and roofs of this building while the concessionaire will take care of the rest of the reform for its adaptation to the new intended use, respecting the architecture of the ship and the west facade of the same. It will be a historic and emblematic building of the Maritime València that will continue to serve the city and citizens – more than a hundred years after its construction – now, with the most modern environmental technologies.

Environmental plan

In addition to the business plan, the sheet must submit an ambitious environmental plan that must include the commitment to adopt an ecological and sustainable management system, participation in joint initiatives promoted by the PAV as well as an environmental impact assessment study. As stated in the specifications, all berths must be equipped with a power supply network to the docked ships; and all roofs and roofs of existing buildings must be designed for the installation of photovoltaic solar panels. Likewise, bidders must submit a Corporate Social Responsibility (RSC) plan for the new public passenger terminal.

Award criteria

For the award of the offer, the specifications establish 45 points for the economic offer and 55 points for the business plan. Specifically, for the award of the points related to the business plan, 15 points will be awarded for the operation of the terminal valuing the operating procedures and the organization of the terminal, the organization of the concession scope, the basic project and the integration of Sub-Ship A of Ship 3. On the other hand, the general business strategy and the CSR plan will be valued with 5 points, respectively. In the case of the CSR plan, the corporate governance strategy will be taken into account, as well as measures of gender equality, family conciliation and universal accessibility conditions. For its part, the Environmental Plan provided by bidders will allow up to 20 points. Of these, 7 points will be awarded for measures to reduce equivalent CO2 emissions and / or energy consumption in machinery, equipment and facilities of the terminal; another 7 points will be awarded to the proposal with a higher percentage of energy use from renewable sources; and the remaining 6 will be awarded to the proposal with a higher percentage of machinery and electrical equipment or that work with alternative fuels not derived from petroleum. Finally, the rate offer will be valued with 10 points.

Port of Seattle postpones construction of new cruise terminal

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 29 April 2020 29 April 2020

The Port of Seattle will postpone work on the proposed Terminal 46 cruise terminal. The Port needs to better understand the market impact of COVID-19 before proceeding. The Board of Commissioners have also directed staff to present an evaluation of the Alaska homeport cruise industry and recommendations concerning the resumption of the project as part of the upcoming capital budget process. The analysis will consider impacts of COVID-19 on the industry’s 2020 cruise season, health and safety regulatory requirements, industry and market forecasts, and economic benefit.

“The last twenty years proved the demand for the Alaska cruise market, which we believe is resilient and will return,” said Executive Director Steve Metruck. “With global cruising on pause right now, it’s appropriate that we consider coming back to this project in the future when we have a clearer picture of the market.”

Singapore provides economic relief to passenger shipping

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 02 April 2020 02 April 2020

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will provide economic relief to passenger vessel owners and operators, as well as passenger terminal operators, who have seen a drop in passenger volumes due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) outbreak. This was announced on March 26 by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Mr Heng Swee Keat, as part of the Resilience Budget.

In February 2020, MPA announced a 50% port dues concession to passenger vessels[ from 1 March to 31 August 2020. MPA will now extend the concession for another four months till 31 December 2020. This will be on top of all existing port dues concessions.

MPA will work with passenger terminal operator, Singapore Cruise Centre Pte. Ltd. (SCCPL), to provide support to regional ferry operators. SCCPL has given a 15% rebate to regional ferry operators to offset their monthly rental fees for overnight berthing of vessels and counter rental at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal for three months from March 2020. MPA will provide an additional 35% rebate to these operators, bringing the total rebates to 50%.

MPA will grant passenger terminal operators, SCCPL and SATS-Creuers Cruise Services Pte. Ltd., a 100% waiver of their public licence fees for one year (FY 2019).

Players in the Québec tourism industry stand united and mobilized in the face of COVID-19 crisis

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 22 March 2020 22 March 2020

On March 19 the Alliance de l’industrie touristique du Québec and Cruise the Saint Lawrence issued a status update concerning the progress of the impact of COVID-19 on this industry.

"Every day, tourism professionals adjust to this changing situation, which remains unprecedented in both modern society and the tourism industry in Québec. The Alliance, along with all regional and industrial partners, empathizes with the concerns raised by this pandemic and the significant impact of the current crisis on businesses, workers, and students in our economic sector," they said in a statement.

Currently, the Alliance is working on a daily basis in conjunction with regional and industry tourism associations, in a coordinated, coherent, and responsive manner, focusing on the following three areas:
– Assisting, equipping and supporting companies.
– Preparing for the relaunch.
– Supporting the government in managing this crisis.

Public health first and foremost

"Public health remains the top priority and we obviously hope that Québec will remain a safe destination. The approach currently being implemented shows the very high level of alertness of the Government of Québec and we applaud the measures put in place over the past few days.

Everyone must participate in protecting the economic, tourist, and social frameworks by following the recommendations issued the government, which is managing this public health crisis as an absolute priority. The Alliance and Cruise the Saint Lawrence invite professionals in the various industries to be patient, to take care of themselves and their loved ones, and to follow the recommendations regarding public health."

Supporting partners in tourism

All regional and tourist industry associations, along with the Alliance de l’industrie touristique du Québec, are also working to support the Government of Québec, while hoping that all decisions will lead to a return to normalcy.

Closely collaborating with the Ministry of Tourism, the Alliance:
– Coordinates its actions while considering their impacts.
– Ensures an open and continuous communication between its members.
– Shares information, practical guides, and useful tools to support companies in their management of the current crisis.
– Recommends to the government financial measures to be put in place in order to support the companies and workers of the tourism industry.
– Tourist companies are asked to visit the special COVID-19 page on the Alliance’s website to access various information and references made available to them by the Alliance, as well as other regional and industry associations in the tourism industry.

Additionally, in an effort to unburden all tourism association partners and allow them to focus on supporting other businesses who are members of their respective organizations, it was decided among them that the Alliance would act as the sole representative of the tourism industry in Québec, for all areas beyond Montréal and Québec City.

To conclude, it should be noted that all marketing materials available, both outside as well as within Québec have been updated in real time over the past few days. A collaborative team, including the Alliance, and regional as well as industry partners, is currently dedicated to planning and effectively preparing the actions necessary for a successful relaunch when the time is right.

Bergen city council bans cruise passengers from going ashore

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 12 March 2020 12 March 2020

The city council of Bergen in Norway has decided to ban passengers from cruise ships going ashore in the city in the face of the coronavirus outbreak.

Ships can take onboard provisions in the port that is owned by the council and the council is in talks with the port about how turnaround calls of companies like Hurtigruten and Fjord Line.

The aim is to agree on procedures how turnaround calls could continue, the city council said in a statement