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Danish port of Kalundborg launches cruise study

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 05 March 2014 05 March 2014

The Port of Kalundborg in Denmark has entered into an agreement with Bermello Ajamil & Partners Europe (B&A Europe) to conduct a cruise market study and assess the interest for a new homeport opportunity for the Baltic region.

For the past ten years the Port of Kalundborg has been a cruise destination utilized primarily by European and British cruise brands. Currently, the port is going through a considerable development cycle of which the cruise business is high on the agenda for potential business development over the coming years, the port said in a statement.

Situated by the Great Belt,right at the entrance to the Baltic,and with deep water up to 15 meters Kalundborg is very centrally located for cruises in the area and therefore offers a unique opportunity for cruise lines to create interesting and flexible itineraries while also cutting expenses considerably.

The Port of Kalundborg is now examining the concept of developing a cruise berth area.

Kalundborg is situated at 1hour and 15 minutes driving distance from Copenhagen Airport and turning in Kalundborg will save larger cruise ships 214 nautical miles and 12 hours of steaming time when cruising into the Baltic and back. This will naturally generate a considerable cut in fuel costs for the cruise lineswhich will be further increased by 2015.

"We look very much forward to entering into this first phase of our cooperation with B&A Europe and to the response from the cruise lines to this new initiative," the port said.

The port of Kalundborg management will attend Cruise Shipping Miami 2014 and will be represented at the Danish destination’s stand 931.

Port of Bilbao expects 25% increase in cruise tourists for 2014

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 25 February 2014 25 February 2014

In 2013, 44 cruise vessels called at the Port of Bilbao bringing 57,000 cruise tourists to the Basque Country. These passengers came from the United Kingdom (33%), Spain (20%), the USA (19%), and Germany (5%), Port of Bilbao said in a statement.

It is interesting to point out that 3 companies – MSC Cruises, Iberocruceros and Pullmantur – have yet again renewed their confidence in the Port of Bilbao as a hub port offering the opportunity to embark and disembark at Bilbao.

Another important fact has been the commitment of Celebrity Cruises (Royal Caribbean Group) to the Port of Bilbao: for the first time, the Celebrity Constellation made 7 overnight calls.

For the 2014 Season, a 25% increase is forecast for both cruise vessels and passengers.

To cater for the growing demand for Basque Country as a cruise destination, the Port Authority will bring a new cruise facility into operation this spring. The new pier is 354 m long and has a draft of 12 m and is being built alongside the existing facility. The pier represents an investment of 13.8 million euros in regional cruise tourism and further reinforces Bilbao’s position as one of Spain’s leading cruise ports.

From spring 2014, Bilbao will be able to provide cruise lines with 1000 metres of berthing lines with 12 m draft and will cover a surface area of 34,000 square metres.

Based in Getxo, the cruise facility is located within walking distance of its attractive marina and only 1 kilometre from one of its many EU Blue Flag beaches.

Bilbao city centre is only a twenty-minute drive away, as is the International Airport. Shuttle buses are available for the beach and nearby World Heritage Hanging Bridge and for Bilbao city centre.

Representatives of the Port Authority of Bilbao will travel to the Cruise Shipping Miami and will be too pleased to provide more information from stand 659.

Port Everglades cruise passengers to enjoy benefits of new FLL runway

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 25 February 2014 25 February 2014

Air-sea travelers will find Port Everglades even more convenient when a second runway at neighboring Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) opens September 2014. The new 8,000-foot runway will help improve flight times and reduce delays at FLL, which is one of the fastest growing airports in the country and a major hub for low-cost domestic carriers. In addition, FLL’s Terminal 4 will expand from 10 to 14 gates, with increased concession choices for passengers.

“Our airport and seaport are within two miles of each other, which is wonderful for cruise passengers who can take advantage of discount air fares and short rides to their cruise ships,” said Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief. “It is also a wonderful advantage for our residents who benefit economically through job creation and retention.”

The number of cruise passengers is expected to reach 4 million during 2014. More than 23 million passengers passed through FLL in 2013, and of those passenger, an estimated 15 percent were going on a cruise out of Port Everglades.

“The combination of a world-class seaport and an international airport located in a popular vacation destination make Broward County a terrific choice for travelers,” said Broward County Vice Mayor Tim Ryan, whose district includes Port Everglades and FLL.

Port Everglades and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport are self-supporting Enterprise Funds of Broward County government.

FLL is ranked 21st in the U.S. in total passenger traffic and 13th in domestic origin and destination passengers. There are more than 300 departure and 300 arrival flights a day. FLL offers nonstop service to more than 100 U.S. cities and international service to Canada, Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Latin America and Europe.

Port Everglades is one of the three busiest cruise ports in the world with nearly 4 million passengers expected in 2014. Eight cruise lines, one ferry and more than 40 cruise ships sail from the South Florida seaport including: Balearia’s Bahamas Express, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Silversea Cruises and Seabourn. The Port's wide-ranging fleet of cruise ships provides guests with an array of cruise vacation choices from the sunny Greater Fort Lauderdale area. Port Everglades, where the best cruise ships launch and the greatest getaways begin.

Norwegian Cruise Line schedules 16 calls at Banana Coast

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 19 February 2014 19 February 2014

Norwegian Cruise Line has scheduled 16 calls at the port of Banana Coast beginning in October. The 2,376-passenger Norwegian Jewel is slated to call at Banana Coast in Trujillo, Honduras, through April 2015.

To date, six cruise lines have scheduled 34 calls on eight ships at Honduras' first mainland cruise port. Holland America Line was the first major cruise company to commit to a series of Banana Coast calls from November 2014 through March 2015. In addition to Norwegian Cruise Line and Holland America, Silversea Cruises has slated calls in December 2014 and March 2015, and P&O Cruises and Oceania Cruises plan to call in the first quarter of 2015.

In all, Banana Coast expects to host more than 80,000 passengers and crew during the 2014-15 winter cruise season.

"On October 15 Norwegian Jewel will be our first big ship call and we're ready to welcome thousands of guests and crew," said Randy Jorgensen, general manager of Grande Trujillo Authoridad, which developed the port. "When we built the port we planned it to have a little something for everyone."

Banana Coast, "where the rainforest meets the sea," has shopping, a tender dock, reception center and transportation hub as well as 10 acres of beachfront right in the town of Trujillo, which was established in 1525. Diverse shore excursions feature the region's Spanish heritage and lush tropical setting with cultural, historical, soft-adventure and eco-tour offerings.

The newest western Caribbean cruise destination welcomed its first ship, Travel Dynamics International's 138-passenger Yorktown, Feb. 10.

Shipping agent Medov srl partners with tour operator TNM Corp in Central and South America

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 18 February 2014 18 February 2014

In January Italian shipping agent Medov srl acquired a significant shareholding stake in TNM Corp, a leading South American tour operator and shipping agent.

Specializing in cruise line ground handling, shore excursions, port agency and pre/post tours, TNM Corp provides services in 66 cities throughout 12 countries in Central and South America.

The agreement, which strengthens and expands Medov's presence in the global cruise marketplace, calls for Medov to support TNM in developing its cruise and agency business in the countries where it currently operates directly or through local partners, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru and Uruguay.

"The acquisition of a stake in TNM fulfils Medov's need for diversification and horizontal integration to remain competitive in the contemporary cruise business," said Giulio Schenone, chairman and CEO of Medov srl. "Thanks to this partnership we can expand in a new and growing market while strengthening our relationships with customers in the Italian and French markets where Medov already is a leading service provider."

"Cruise line customers will not see a change in TNM's service delivery in the short term," Schenone said, but as the two firms develop operational best practices, there may be some long-term positive effects.

"Partnering with Medov confirms TNM's desire to remain a market leader providing shore excursions and cruise-related leisure activities in Central and South America," said Kenneth Munro, chairman of TNM Corp. "It is not by coincidence that we have signed an agreement with one of the most accomplished and well-structured shipping agencies in Europe. Our partnership puts both companies in a better position to provide cruise lines with a complete package of services, both in port and ashore, throughout the region."