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Enderby Riverside appoints Kate O'Hara to deliver new cruise terminal in London

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 21 August 2013 21 August 2013

Enderby Riverside Limited, a company owned by a fund managed by Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing, and West Properties has appointed Kate O'Hara, the Chair of Cruise Britain, to lead the delivery of the new international cruise terminal at Enderby Wharf in Royal Greenwich within the heart of London.

Kate O'Hara has a wealth of experience and extensive cruise industry knowledge together with a high profile within the international cruise market. The appointment signals a further significant step in the provision of a purpose built cruise terminal in the heart of London following the grant of planning permission last year. Kate O'Hara will work alongside the team at West Properties which will see the terminal constructed over the next two years and vessels mooring in the heart of one of the truly global cities at the start of the 2016 season.

The terminal to be known as the London Cruise Port has been designed in partnership with the cruise industry and the Port of London Authority to accommodate the largest cruise vessels which can sail up the River Thames. The enthusiasm from the cruise industry for an alongside facility which enables passengers to walk from ship to shore in a modern and covered environment has been hugely important. Vessels will sail via the Thames Barrier past the Emirates Cable Car, the O2 Arena and the iconic Canary Wharf skyline to moor close to the world famous Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site and the Cutty Sark.

Kate O'Hara said: "I am hugely excited by the opportunity to become involved in such a prestigious and innovative project within the heart of London and Royal Greenwich. The views from the new terminal location are exceptional and I am sure cruise passengers will be thrilled at being able to sail into the heart of the capital. Enderby Wharf is ideally located for passengers to embark and disembark as either transit or turnaround visitors given the design of the terminal and the vast array of attractions in such close proximity to the facility. The team at West Properties has secured a remarkable planning permission alongside its partners and I am looking forward to delivering the project and welcoming the first cruise vessels in 2016."

Royal Borough of Greenwich Leader, Councillor Chris Roberts said: "We are delighted that Kate O'Hara has been appointed to lead the delivery of the new international cruise terminal at Enderby Wharf in Royal Greenwich. It is clear that Kate will bring a significant amount of operational experience and Royal Greenwich together with its partners in the new destination management company look forward to working with Kate and West Properties over the coming months to ensure the development is a superb addition for residents, visitors and businesses alike. The construction of London's first cruise terminal will establish Royal Greenwich as a global cruise destination and will be a huge boost to our local tourism industry."

Record breaking year for Portland Port

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 19 August 2013 19 August 2013

The cruise season at Portland Port continues in record breaking style. At the beginning of the month the port welcome the AIDAstella in for the final time this year. She was carrying 2,567 passengers on board as she came alongside, a figure that has set a new record for Portland Port and a target to break in future seasons as the port continues to develop its cruise offering and continues to develop within the cruise market as a whole.

Weymouth and Portland continues to be a popular resort amongst cruise passengers and we at Portland Port always enjoy the stories of kindness and compliments that come back to us from passengers and cruise ships alike.

"We ensure to add extra value to the already fond memories of visitors to the towns by providing a variety of entertainment to wave the ships which is always popular, so far this season we have seen the Nothe Artillery Volunteers, a Ukulele Duo and a variety of choirs and concert bands too. This ensures we stand out from other ports and make a lasting impression in all those who visit the Isle," the port said in a statement.

Helen Rewse, leader of the Wyke Regis junior’s choir, commented: "We all thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience; the staff at the port treated us like VIPs, the passengers seemed to love our performance and there was great excitement as the cannon was fired and the ship left the port. We'd definitely do it again!"

Ian McQuade, General Manager Business Development at Portland Port, added "We have been delighted with the way the 2013 cruise season is panning out. The feedback from both cruise lines and their guests has been very positive and gives us great encouragement for the future."

This is not the end of the season at Portland Port; "We recommend that you keep a keen eye on the breakwaters until the end of September for some more remarkable ships breaking the horizon."

Piraeus records 11.7% rise in passenger volume January-July

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

The Port of Piraeus in Greece says it enjoyed an increase 11.7% in the number of cruise passengers in the first seven months of the year compared to the same period last year.

Senior management changes at Intercruises North America & Caribbean

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 08 August 2013 08 August 2013

Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services, an experienced global business offering first class ground handling and port agency services to the ocean and river cruise industry, has announced senior management changes to its North America & Caribbean region.

After two years leading the Intercruises North America & Caribbean team, Kevin O’Connor, President Intercruises North America & Caribbean, is leaving to pursue other opportunities, handing over his responsibilities with immediate effect. Kevin joined Intercruises following the acquisition of TMS Gateway and TMS Anchor in 2011, leading the integration of the East and West coast businesses to develop an Intercruises team capable of delivering services at all the main ports across North America.

Celeste Gladstone, Intercruises VP Client Relationships, will take additional responsibilities for the North America & Caribbean region, including the running of the day to day operations. Celeste is very familiar with the Intercruises teams and ports across North America, having previously held the role of President Intercruises North America & Caribbean. Celeste has over 25 years of experience in the cruise industry and helped develop Intercruises’ and the cruise industry’s growth in North America & the Caribbean.

“I would like to thank Kevin for his commitment to Intercruises over the last two years and wish him lots of success for the future. I would also like to wish Celeste all the best in her expanded role at Intercruises,” Said Mark Robinson, Intercruises Managing Director.

Tabona appointed chairman of Valletta Cruise Port

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 08 August 2013 08 August 2013

Joseph Zammit Tabona has been appointed chairman of Valletta Cruise Port plc. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Zammit Tabona served as Malta’s Commissioner for the United Kingdom and Ireland. Mr Zammit Tabona had served as Chairman of Valletta Cruise Port between 2007 and 2009, the company said in a statement.

In a career spanning more than forty years, Joseph Zammit Tabona was appointed on a number of boards of private and public companies. He was Chairman of the Malta Stock Exchange, Finance Malta, the Malta Accountancy Board, the Malta Development Corporation, the Malta External Trade Corporation, the Institute for the Promotion of Small Enterprises and that of Malta Enterprise.

He also held directorships in Bank of Valletta, the Malta Council for Arts, Science and Technology and HSBC Life Assurance (Malta) Limited. He also served as President of the Malta Federations of Industry. In August this year, Mr Zammit Tabona, was appointed as the Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Investment Promotion.