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UK ports attracted 11% more cruise passengers in 2012

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 12 March 2013 12 March 2013

More passengers than ever before are visiting Great Britain through the country’s 52 cruise ports. Figures released today by CruiseBritain show that in 2012 more than 100 ships visited the UK. And these ships brought a record 723,000 passengers on day calls, a rise of 11 per cent, the organisation said in a statement.

The year 2012 also saw 962,000 passengers begin their cruise at a UK port, a 10 per cent increase on 2011, with 84 per cent of passengers being British.

In all, 47 different cruise lines tied up in a UK port in 2012 with passengers taking day trips to a variety of destinations across the country. Britain’s island geography makes Round Britain cruises an unusual and unique itinerary option and allows visitors to explore coasts, castles, cities and countryside in one easy visit.

Plus, Britain’s geographical proximity to complementary countries offers additional choice for a wide range of lines and ships. From expedition cruises to boutique ships, British-focussed to German, North American, French and Spanish-focussed lines, Britain is growing in appeal.

‘The growth in both cruise ship visits and passenger numbers is a continued testament to Britain’s value as a cruise destination’ commented Kate O’Hara, Chair CruiseBritain. ‘Since 2004, we have seen the number of visiting passengers more than double and the number of different cruise ships calling has gone from 76 to 105, a rise of 38 per cent.

The uniqueness of Round Britain cruises together with our diverse regional history, heritage, culture and scenery ensure our continued success. Britain’s destinations deliver an excellent passenger experience and we all work towards delivering a smooth operation for the cruise lines,’ added O’Hara.

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.

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.

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