Milestone Reached: Hamburg Welcomes over a Million Cruise Passengers
In an exciting development, the bustling Port of Hamburg has marked a historic moment by welcoming more than one million cruise passengers for the first time this year. This milestone was achieved when the "MSC Euribia" docked at the Steinwerder terminal on a sun-soaked Sunday, as announced by Cruise Gate Hamburg GmbH (CGH) on Monday.
CGH's Managing Director, Simone Maraschi, acknowledged the rapid recovery of the cruise industry post-pandemic and commended Hamburg's transformation into a thriving year-round destination for cruise voyages, particularly due to the growing popularity of winter cruises.
The one millionth passenger milestone is set to be surpassed significantly by the end of 2023, with an estimated 30 more calls scheduled for that period. With around 280 calls in total, the 2023 cruise season could very well be Hamburg's most prosperous yet.
Hamburg's Mayor, Peter Tschentscher (SPD), emphasized the indispensable role of the cruise industry in bolstering the Hanseatic city's economy, enabling a myriad of cultural, athletic, and recreational activities that resonate with both locals and international visitors alike.
The Port of Hamburg's growing influence in the realm of cruise tourism has also stimulated increased shipping activities, involving the transportation of more cargo to and from the city. Hamburg's vision entails offering cruise excursions that artfully blend city sightseeing with oceanic voyages, aiming to lure even more visitors and inject new life into the local economy.
BOOSTING SUSTAINABILITY AND ECO-FRIENDLINESS
Hamburg's commitment to environmental sustainability and eco-friendliness has been evident in various initiatives aimed at reducing emissions, fostering innovation, and developing cleaner energy sources.
The port has extended its memorandum to incorporate shore power systems for cruise ships, promoting sustainable cruising practices by minimizing local emissions (CO2, air pollutants, noise, etc.). Shore power facilities are being installed at Cruise Center Steinwerder and Cruise Center HafenCity, with a plan to equip all cruise terminals by 2025.
The port is also actively supporting the exploration of alternative propulsion solutions for cruise ships, including the testing of cutting-edge technologies and collaborating with other ports to advance sustainable shipping practices.
Furthermore, Hamburg aims to construct a large electrolysis plant on the site of the decommissioned Moorburg coal-fired power station, equipping it with an initial output of 100 MW, which may gradually expand up to 800 MW. This project aims to produce green hydrogen, generating potential import terminals to further solidify Hamburg's position as a green hydrogen hub for Germany and Europe.
BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD
Hamburg's successful cruise tourism performance has contributed to a surge in shipping activities and has prompted the city to explore opportunities for combining city sightseeing with oceanic voyages to enhance the local economy.
According to data from other major cruise hubs such as Southampton, a comparable increase in cruise passengers (3 million visitors in 2024, a 15% rise from the previous year) has significantly bolstered the local economy, surpassing £1 billion ($1.2 billion USD) in revenue.
Following the lead of other sustainable industry leaders, TUI Group, a prominent player in the cruise sector, has demonstrated its dedication to environmental stewardship. They have reported record underlying EBIT for cruises due to increased demand and improved rates while simultaneously focusing on lowering relative emissions and meeting environmental targets through science-based objectives and goals.
With Hamburg's strong focus on sustainability, technological innovation, and economic growth, the future of cruising in this city appears bright and promises to captivate millions of eager passengers alike.
