Ports & destinations

New Icy Strait Point pier project under construction

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 11 June 2015 11 June 2015

Installation of a new floating pier began last week at Icy Strait Point, a seasonal cruise destination along Alaska’s Inside Passage in the Alaska Native village of Hoonah.

Turnagain Marine Construction, an Alaska-based heavy marine construction firm, is working offshore at Icy Strait Point with completion expected by early October.

“It’s an exciting time for the community to see this pier coming together in front of our eyes,” said Tyler Hickman, Icy Strait Point vice president of operations. “ Thanks to the partnership between the City of Hoonah, State of Alaska and Huna Totem Corporation, this investment will further improve our world-class destination. Even better, the construction does not negatively impact our current operations and guest experience.”

Since opening in 2004, cruise lines have tendered guests ashore to the century-old salmon cannery at Icy Strait Point. The new 400-foot floating pier, which was designed with input from the cruise industry and accommodates the largest cruise ships, will allow ships to tie up directly, thus greatly improving accessibility for ships and their passengers beginning in 2016. Icy Strait Point will manage the pier’s operation and provide long-term maintenance.

Additionally, a new Tlingit-style, wood-beamed welcome center and excursion departure lounge will also be in place for the beginning of the 2016 season. Construction is scheduled to begin in October 2015, after the cruise season has ended.

Icy Strait Point is a wholly owned and operated subsidiary of Huna Totem Corporation, the village corporation owned by approximately 1,350 Alaska Natives with aboriginal ties to Hoonah and the Glacier Bay area. Located 35 miles west of Juneau and 22 miles from Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Icy Strait Point is the only private large-ship destination in Alaska.

Port of San Diego expected to appoint new President and CEO today

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 11 June 2015 11 June 2015

The Board of Commissioners for the San Diego Unified Port District is expected to appoint Ms. Randa Coniglio as its new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at its June 11 Board meeting. Coniglio was selected as the top candidate after a rigorous nation-wide executive search that began last December.

Coniglio currently serves as the Port's Executive Vice President of Operations over the departments of Real Estate, Maritime, Environmental and Land Use Management, Strategy and Business Development, Government and Community Relations, and Marketing and Communications.

Coniglio was hired in 2000 by the Port District after a 13-year private sector career in real estate development and real estate portfolio management. During her tenure at the Port, she has been promoted six times, having started in the Real Estate Department as a Senior Asset Manager.

"Randa is a focused, diligent and highly creative leader who consistently delivers strong outcomes," explained Port Chairman Dan Malcolm. "This, combined with her track record in gaining the trust of stakeholders, achieving consensus and maintaining long-term, mutually beneficial relationships truly set her apart as the best candidate for this position."

Port staff's accomplishments under Coniglio's leadership are extensive with highlights that include entitling the 500-acre Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan in 2012; successfully obtaining a unanimous approval vote from the California Coastal Commission for a $700 million San Diego Convention Center expansion; facilitating the opening of The Headquarters shopping facility, which transformed the old San Diego Police Headquarters into a bustling retail center; and securing a 25-year lease renewal to Dole Fresh Fruit. She has been a driving force on the executive team that turned around a budget deficit in FY 2011-2012 and delivered a $12 million surplus in FY 2013-2014.

Coniglio is expected to assume her duties as President and CEO on June 12. The move would make her the first woman CEO in the Port's 52-year history.

"I am so honored to have been selected as the Port of San Diego's next President and CEO," said Coniglio. "We have such great momentum right now on a variety of fronts. I am very fortunate to have this opportunity at a time when there is so much positive energy around the Port's projects and initiatives."

Some of the Port's more predominate projects include starting construction on the Chula Vista Bayfront project, examining the redevelopment viability of Harbor Island once the rental car agencies relocate to the consolidated facility on Pacific Highway, exploring opportunities for the Pond 20 site, and continuing the world-class improvements along San Diego's North Embarcadero with the opening of two new hotels in the coming years.

The Port is also moving forward with modernizing Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal to improve operations and capacity, and is studying the optimization of the National City Marine Terminal to determine ideal maritime and commercial compatibilities. Work will also continue on expanding cruise business at the Port.

Also in the works is the Port's Integrated Planning initiative, the agency's 50-year long-range visioning plan that examines how the Port, San Diego Bay and the tidelands affect the entire region, including land and water uses and critical upland links.

"The Port of San Diego's opportunities are vast," continued Coniglio. "In order to seize on these, we must focus clearly, be nimble and continue to work collaboratively with our stakeholders. I'm excited to lead that charge."

John Bolduc, who has been the Port's acting CEO since July 2014, will continue to serve on the executive leadership team.

"Chief Bolduc has done a truly remarkable job guiding this organization over the past year," continued Chairman Malcolm. "He sharpened the agency's focus during a time of great transition and continued moving key projects forward. We could not be more grateful for his work and his continued dedication to the executive leadership group and the Port of San Diego."

"I fully support the Board of Port Commissioner's decision to promote Randa Coniglio to the position of President and CEO," said Bolduc. "Having worked with Randa for the last five years, I know her to be a leader with impeccable integrity, personal skill, and intelligence. She will be a great choice for this important position."

Cruise season starts at Columbus Cruise Center Wismar

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 03 June 2015 03 June 2015

On Friday, Columbus Cruise Center Wismar starts off the cruise season 2015 with a visit of Voyager.

Voyager, which is operated by Voyages of Discovery, kicks off the cruise season at Columbus Cruise Center Wismar with its arrival at around 7 am on June 5th. Columbus Cruise Center Wismar is looking forward to welcoming passengers and crew of the 152 meter long ship and also awaits interested guests from the region. After excursions to Wismar and its surrounding regions, Voyager will depart at 10 pm from Wismar, accompanied by presentations of Klasbachtaler Blasmusik orchestra and Schützenverein Hanse.

The Hanseatic city of Wismar, Columbus Cruise Center and its official partner Hanse Sektkellerei Wismar are looking forward to 7 ship calls this year. For each call they would like to offer a unique and atmospheric farewell program for all passengers, crew members and guests and thank all partners from the region in advance who here actively support.

Hamburg inaugurates its newest cruise terminal

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 10 June 2015 10 June 2015

After just 198 days of construction the day has finally arrived: Yesterday, June 9, Frank Horch, Hamburg’s Minister for Economic and Labour Affairs, Jens Meier, Chairman of the Management Board of the Hamburg Port Authority AöR (HPA), Michael Eggenschwiler, Chairman of the Management Board of Flughafen Hamburg GmbH, and Sacha Rougier, Managing Director of Cruise Gate Hamburg GmbH, officially inaugurated the Cruise Center Steinwerder. As a symbol of the close project co-operation between the HPA and Flughafen Hamburg, Jens Meier and Michael Eggenschwiler jointly tied a figure-of-eight knot.

The first sod at the Cruise Center Steinwerder site in Hamburg-Steinwerder was only turned at the beginning of July 2014. The building envelope was completed at the turn of the year 2014/ 2015 and the topping-out ceremony was held in January. It is Hamburg’s third cruise terminal. Not only was the construction on schedule, due to the excellent project management, the total cost could be reduced by 16 million euros to 64 million euros. The so-called terminal occupancy fee could be thereby reduced to 6.60 euros per passenger.

With the new terminal Hamburg is set to further strengthen its position in the international cruise industry. The Kronprinzkai quay can accommodate very large cruise ships, and the 9,000sqm [96,875sqft] large terminal building with a view of Hamburg’s skyline has capacities to handle over 4,000 passengers per call. Via two accessible bridges passengers can embark and disembark. The new terminal can be reached by car or by bus via Buchheisterstraße, which was recently expanded to three lanes, or by ferry. It offers over 1,500 parking spaces as well as shopping facilities and a bistro. Car hire desks are located on site.

Hamburg Minister Frank Horch: "Over the past years the cruise industry in Hamburg has seen a remarkable development. Despite its lack of palm trees and Caribbean flair, the city has become one of the cruise destinations of choice in Europe. An impressive development that benefits Hamburg’s economy: already, more than 1,500 jobs depend on the cruise industry and create added value of some 270 million euros a year. The third terminal will ensure that the economic potential can be maximised."

"I am delighted to say that we can show two things today: First, a great team is able to achieve more than I thought would be possible. Second, Hamburg as a cruise destination has come a long way and is now ready to welcome the very large vessels, offering full turnaround services," says Jens Meier, Chairman of the HPA.

"The new cruise terminal is a nice, highly functional building that offers everything needed to professionally cater for thousands of passengers. The airport can draw on decades of experience in terminal operations and was able to contribute substantially to making Hamburg a more modern and international city. The co-operation among all parties involved in the project was efficient and target-oriented, and we have every right to be proud of what we have achieved," says Michael Eggenschwiler, Chairman of the Management Board of Flughafen Hamburg GmbH.

"Thanks to the commitment of many players, Hamburg as a cruise destination has developed well over the past years. The new terminal will ensure that Hamburg continues to be a popular cruise port," says Sacha Rougier, Managing Director of Cruise Gate Hamburg GmbH.

The Malta Gaming Authority approves the first cruise liner casino

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 01 June 2015 01 June 2015

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has approved the first application received from Crystal Cruises, which is represented in Malta by Gollcher Group, for its award-winning Crystal Serenity which will call to Malta on June 5 and 6, 2015. Crystal’s lavish onboard casinos on Crystal Serenity are elegantly stylish venues offering gaming and glittering excitement. Thrilling games of Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, 3 Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em and Mini-Baccarat (on request), as well as slot and video poker machines are available.

“Valletta Cruise Port welcomes this first application, following our instigation to introduce this legislation. This legislation makes Malta a more attractive proposition to cruise liners particularly those cruise liners that opt to call at Malta or Gozo for an overnight stay. This is undoubtedly an incentive to encourage cruise liners to overnight in Malta or Gozo, and include both islands in their Mediterranean itinerary. Valletta Cruise Port has been promoting these regulations, and feedback from other cruise lines has been positive," commented Stephen Xuereb, Valletta Cruise Port’s Chief Executive Officer.

"The Authority is committed to safeguard both the interests of passengers on board cruise ships, as well as those of the Maltese gaming industry. The regulations issued by the MGA mean that cruise ships will be able to operate their casinos in-line with the stipulated conditions whilst berthed within Maltese territorial waters," said the MGA's Executive Chairman, Joseph Cuschieri.

Parliamentary Secretary Hon. Dr. José Herrera said, "This is indeed very good and exciting news, which augurs well for the future. These new regulations were the result of direct consultation with the relevant stakeholders." Dr. Herrera hailed both the MGA and Valletta Cruise Port for their commitment to increase the gaming and cruise industries.

The MGA launched its Cruise Casino Regulations in April 2015, wherein cruise liners are now able to operate their onboard casinos solely for registered passengers while berthing in Malta and/or Gozo overnight and within territorial waters. These Regulations are a result of the policy announced by Government last November during the 2015 Budget speech.

The Regulations lay down that a formal application for this purpose must be submitted to the MGA, which, in turn, issues such approval once it is satisfied that gaming on board the cruise liner casino shall take place in accordance with the fundamental principles established by the Authority. Once approval is granted, cruise liner casinos will be allowed to operate between 6.00pm and 6.00am in line with the conditions stipulated in these new Regulations.

The MGA has also set up a dedicated page on the website providing all the necessary information and forms related to obtaining the MGA’s approval which can be accessed here.