Ports & destinations

Port of Turku to start international cruise season in May

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 27 January 2025 27 January 2025

Turku, Finland is an attractive destination port for international cruise ships, standing out especially for its beautiful archipelago and diverse range of activities. Turku complements the capital-centric Baltic Sea cruises by offering an appealing destination where cruise ships are welcomed with tailored services. Located on the dock, the Visit Turku Archipelago service point provides assistance and guidance regarding Turku’s attractions. The service point also offers free Wi-Fi provided by the Port. In addition, cruise guests can use a free shuttle bus between the port and the city center throughout their visit.

The cruise season opens on June 16th, when Hapag Lloyd’s Europa arrives at the port. Built in Finland, the ship, which began operating in 1999, has visited Turku several times already.

This upcoming summer, five international cruise ships will visit Turku, one of which will be visiting the city for the first time. The small but high-quality Seadream II will make its first call on July 17th, offering an ultra-luxurious travel experience. Normally cruising in the Caribbean, the ship is exploring northern cruise routes.

The Port of Turku and Visit Turku Archipelago are working closely together to increase cruise traffic. However, the city itself is also doing its part: Seven Seas Splendor, which made its first visit last summer, will return to Turku this summer; the cruise guests’ admiration for Turku’s archipelago and authentic experiences along the Aura River led to the cruise line’s decision to return.

In addition to Turku Castle and other regular attractions, cruise passengers can explore the city through guided tours. Options include themed walking tours, river cruises on the Aura River, and electric bike tours. Known as a vibrant cultural city and the food capital, Turku offers international travelers authentic experiences and new culinary delights with a relaxed touch.

Bremerhaven Cruise Port celebrates a successful first week of operations

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 18 January 2025 18 January 2025

Bremerhaven Cruise Port, operated by Global Ports Holding (GPH), the world’s largest cruise port operator, has officially commenced its 2025 cruise season with great success. The inaugural week featured calls from Mein Schiff 3 of TUI Cruises and Amera of Phoenix Reisen, marking the start of a promising year ahead.

With over 5,900 cruise passengers welcomed, Bremerhaven Cruise Port successfully completed two homeporting operations, setting a strong precedent for the season. The collaborative efforts of the GPH regional operations team and the port staff ensured smooth and efficient operations, meeting high expectations right from the start.

Timo Schön, General Manager of Bremerhaven Cruise Port (pictured above), shared his enthusiasm: "We are thrilled to host both ships during our opening week and to begin this exciting chapter under Global Ports Holding. Together with our dedicated team, our focus is on delivering exceptional service, showcasing the unique charm of Bremerhaven, and positioning the port as a key homeport within the region.”

Looking ahead, Bremerhaven Cruise Port anticipates over 90 ship calls and 300k passengers for the 2025 season.

Situated at the heart of a vibrant port city, Bremerhaven Cruise Port offers passengers a unique blend of maritime heritage, cultural attractions, and seaside allure. Its strategic location makes it a key gateway for Scandinavian and Baltic Sea cruise itineraries, underscoring its importance in the global cruise network.

Global Ports Holding secured the concession for Bremerhaven Cruise Port in 2023, with operations beginning in January 2025. Following a seamless transition from the previous operator, GPH has hit the ground running.

Porto Cruise Terminal sets new cruise records in 2024

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 25 January 2025 25 January 2025

Cruise activity at the Porto Cruise Terminal (Port of Leixões) continues its remarkable growth of recent years, reaching new historical highs in 2024. Last year, the port welcomed 152 cruise ship calls, 15 of which were new to the port, 1 new cruise company and 6 turnaround operations, bringing 196,000 visitors to Porto & Northern Portugal.

These numbers consolidate 2024 as the best year ever for cruise activity at the Porto Cruise Terminal. Compared to the previous year, there was a 32% increase in the number of passengers and a 31% increase in the number of cruise calls.

The United Kingdom remained the largest source market for passengers with 34%, followed by the United States of America (24%) and Germany (23%). The average size of ships calling at Leixões also increased significantly, reaching a record value of 8.9 million gross tons, which represents a growth of 28% compared to 2023.

The seasonality of cruise activity on the Atlantic Coast continues to be a challenge. However, cruise activity at the port was constant from April to November, with the exception of June. September was the busiest month, with 30,409 passengers, while May had the highest number of calls with 28 cruises.

This growth is due to the joint work of the different players in the cruise industry, including the port operations and Porto Cruise Terminal teams, local authorities and economic agents. The continuous promotion of the activity with the main cruise companies has strengthened the position of the Port of Leixões and Porto Cruise Terminal as a key destination on the Atlantic Coast.

João Pedro Neves, President of Leixões Port Authority stated that “these numbers reflect the growing demand for Porto & North of Portugal by an increasing number of cruise passengers and major cruise lines worldwide, who continue to choose Leixões for their itineraries”.

João Pedro Neves also highlights that “the Region is one of the most sought-after destinations in Europe, as also proven by the record numbers registered on the Douro Waterway, which grew 11% in the number of passengers compared to 2023.”

Commitment to sustainability

APDL (Leixões Port Authority) is committed to continuing the investment that has been made in last years in port infrastructure, namely with the implementation of Onshore Power Supply (OPS) by 2030, allowing cruise ships to turn off auxiliary engines while docked, significantly reducing carbon emissions and promoting a greener and more sustainable port.

As part of the Roadmap for Energy Transition Towards Carbon Neutrality in the Port of Leixões, since the beginning of 2024, passengers and crew transportation within the Port of Leixões has been carried out using a 100% Electric Bus (Eco Bus) and towing operations for cruises are carried out by new generation tugboats, which are safer and less polluting.

Record cruise passenger numbers in Malta in 2024

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 16 January 2025 16 January 2025

A record number of cruise passengers visited Malta in 2024, surpassing the pre-pandemic peak of 2019.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works Chris Bonett and Valletta Cruise Port CEO Stephen Xuereb announced these results during a visit to the Valletta Cruise Port, on Wednesday morning.

More than 940,000 passenger movements were registered at the Valletta Cruise Port in 2024, 4% higher than 2019, the previous record year. During the last 12 months, the Grand Harbour received 357 cruise ship calls.

The cruise industry is a major contributor to several sectors of the Maltese economy, particularly shipping services, as well as retailers, catering establishments and other tourism services in Valletta and the Grand Harbour region. It is estimated that cruise ships berthing at the Grand Harbour contribute circa €88 million to Malta's economy every year, with Euro €38 million in spending by cruise passengers and another €50 million by the cruise line companies.

Commenting on these results, Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg explained that the Government is determined to continue supporting this sector, while improving the overall experience of cruise passengers during their short stop in the Maltese Islands. “We want cruise passengers to enjoy their experience and put our country in their bucket list for a longer holiday next time round. To achieve this, we need a comprehensive effort by all stakeholders, not only from the private sector, but also from different government entities and authorities. This is why we are collaborating with other ministries to make sure that as a country, we intensify our efforts for a better-quality tourism product in coming years,” said Dr Borg.

During 2024, the Malta Tourism Authority continued to promote Malta as an important cruise destination in the Mediterranean. It regularly participates in the industry’s leading international fairs and expos, while investing in targeting marketing campaigns to encourage cruise operators and travellers to choose the Maltese Islands for their cruise itineraries.

Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works, Chris Bonett, emphasised the significant strides being made in sustainability through the recent investment in shore-to-ship infrastructure. The system, which has the capacity to power up to five cruise liners simultaneously, is directly improving the quality of life for thousands of families living in the vicinity of the Grand Harbour. The project is expected to cut pollution by 90% for nearby residents by 2030.

Minister Bonett further highlighted the strategic importance of the OPS (Onshore Power Supply) project, marking Malta as the first Mediterranean port to have the technology, as a pivotal initiative that reflects the country's leadership in sustainable maritime solutions. He also pointed to the extension of Quay Pinto 4-5, noting that these initiatives underscore the government’s steadfast support for the maritime industry and its long-term, sustainable growth. “These projects are a clear demonstration of our commitment to balancing economic development with environmental responsibility," Bonett affirmed, reinforcing the government's determination to continue investing in infrastructure that supports both the industry and the wellbeing of local communities.

Stephen Xuereb, COO of Global Ports Holding and CEO of Valletta Cruise Port, stated, “We are incredibly proud of the record-breaking results achieved in 2024, reflecting the cruise industry’s resilience and swift recovery post-Covid. This success is due to the collaboration of various stakeholders, and we extend our gratitude to all of them – including the Ministries of Tourism and Transport, Authorities, Ship and Shorex Agents, Service Providers, Tenants, and especially our dedicated personnel. Beyond the impressive numbers, we must continue to work towards delivering a smooth and authentic Mediterranean experience for which our Islands are globally renowned. The government is continuing its work on Quay Pinto 4-5, a crucial part of our infrastructure, and we anticipate its completion within the next year. With this development and our status as the first Mediterranean port to offer onshore power supply, we are well-positioned to ensure sustainable growth in this sector. In addition to our cruise facilities, Valletta Cruise Port issued a request for proposals for the Old Power House in December, and by mid-February, we will launch a public tender for the development of the Atrium car park. 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year.”

Deputy Prime Minister Borg and Minister Bonett were accompanied by Malta Tourism Authority CEO Carlo Micallef, Transport Malta CEO Kurt Farrugia and Capt. Fritz Farrugia, Chief Officer & Harbour Master at Transport Malta.