Cruise sector in Port of Amsterdam growing as never before
Both the maritime and the river cruise sectors are going through golden times in the port area of Amsterdam. This year, an expected 194 maritime cruise ships will dock at Amsterdam and IJmuiden together, and about 1,350 river cruise ships will berth at the capital city. "Even the next few years look promising" says Hans Gerson, chairman of the promotions non-profit organisation Amsterdam Cruise Port (ACP). He said this during the opening of the cruise season in the Concertgebouw, one of ACP's seven new members.
It is buzzing with activity in the Port It is buzzing with activity in the Port of Amsterdam when it comes to maritime and river cruises. A delegation representing the ACP visited the annual Seatrade in Miami in March. This is the world's largest trade fair for maritime cruises. The 'Amsterdam' breakfast there attracted more representatives from the leading shipping agencies than ever before. A few weeks earlier, in February, a delegation went to Straatsburg and Basel, where they gave presentations to many interested parties among the large river cruise agencies.
Further, Wednesday 21 March saw four new river cruise ships belonging to the shipping line Viking, christened by PTA (Passenger Terminal Amsterdam), while on Friday 4 May, the opening of the new Felison Cruise Terminal on the mouth of the IJ River in IJmuiden will be a festive occasion.
More turn around calls
A few figures. In 2011, 150 maritime cruise ships called into the ports of Amsterdam (123) and IJmuiden (27). These brought about 277,000 passengers to the region. This current year is breaking all records with 194 bookings, of which 154 are in Amsterdam, and 40 in IJmuiden. This not only means more than 372,000 visitors to the region, but also more turn around calls – whereby Amsterdam and IJmuiden are used as starting and ending points – than transit calls for the first time. The entry port to the North Sea Canal will benefit to the full from the new terminal and from the deepening of the shipping channel in 2011. This allows cruise ships of up to 295 to easily access the ports on the mouth of the IJ River.
The developments for river cruise ships are progressing well, thanks to investment in new quays and berths and an improved spread across the province of North Holland. Thus, Haarlem gained two, and soon to be four, berths in on the Spaarne River in April.
The forecasts for 2013 and onwards are also positive, says chairman Gerson. Next year's themes will include the 125th anniversary of the Concertgebouw, the reopening of the Rijksmuseum, and the 400th anniversary of the Amsterdam city canals. A festive year and one which can mean an added reason for shipping companies to bring even more ships to our region.
of Amsterdam when it comes to maritime and river cruises. A delegation representing the ACP visited the annual Seatrade in Miami in March. This is the world's largest trade fair for maritime cruises. The 'Amsterdam' breakfast there attracted more representatives from the leading shipping agencies than ever before. A few weeks earlier, in February, a delegation went to Straatsburg and Basel, where they gave presentations to many interested parties among the large river cruise agencies.
Further, Wednesday 21 March saw four new river cruise ships belonging to the shipping line Viking, christened by PTA (Passenger Terminal Amsterdam), while on Friday 4 May, the opening of the new Felison Cruise Terminal on the mouth of the IJ River in IJmuiden will be a festive occasion.
More turn around calls
A few figures. In 2011, 150 maritime cruise ships called into the ports of Amsterdam (123) and IJmuiden (27). These brought about 277,000 passengers to the region. This current year is breaking all records with 194 bookings, of which 154 are in Amsterdam, and 40 in IJmuiden. This not only means more than 372,000 visitors to the region, but also more turn around calls – whereby Amsterdam and IJmuiden are used as starting and ending points – than transit calls for the first time. The entry port to the North Sea Canal will benefit to the full from the new terminal and from the deepening of the shipping channel in 2011. This allows cruise ships of up to 295 to easily access the ports on the mouth of the IJ River.
The developments for river cruise ships are progressing well, thanks to investment in new quays and berths and an improved spread across the province of North Holland. Thus, Haarlem gained two, and soon to be four, berths in on the Spaarne River in April.
The forecasts for 2013 and onwards are also positive, says chairman Gerson. Next year's themes will include the 125th anniversary of the Concertgebouw, the reopening of the Rijksmuseum, and the 400th anniversary of the Amsterdam city canals. A festive year and one which can mean an added reason for shipping companies to bring even more ships to our region.
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