By
Rebecca Gibson |
Despite a pilots’ strike in June which caused the loss of five ship calls, the Port of Bergen is expect to record a total of 321 calls and total of 446,406 passengers this year. This marks a record year for the port with the number of ship calls increasing by 21.9 per cent and passenger numbers increasing by 27.5 per cent since 2011.
The 2012 season began on 25 February with a call from Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines’ Boudicca and closes on 12 December with a visit from Amadea. In total, there were thirteen maiden calls at Bergen in 2012 and all were given a send-off by the Fire Brigade Corps Band, a popular tradition enjoyed by both passengers and crew. This year has also seen a large increase in passenger numbers from across Europe and the US, with the most notable rises since 2011 including a 114 per cent increase in Spanish passengers, a 40 per cent in French passengers and a 35 per cent increase in passengers from Benelux.
The increase in the number of ships and passengers visiting Bergen is set to continue, with 329 calls and approximately 475,000 passengers expected to visit the port in 2013. Cruise lines have also started booking calls in advance and the port already has 130 calls booked for 2014 and 54 calls booked for 2015.
In 2014, the cruise season will also be extended with ship calls booked in November. Helen Hovland, marketing manager at the Port of Bergen, said, “We are actively working for Bergen to be a year-round cruise port. Furthermore, we envisage that Bergen can be a turnaround port for ships and passengers, or maybe a homeport for cruise ships.”
The terminal at Skolten, Bergen, will be available as a turnaround port for cruise ships and passengers when Fjord Line moves its two new ferries to the Jekteviken area. Hovland explained, “We then have the opportunity to take passengers through the terminal for check-in, passport control and customs checks.”
Hovland added, “The Port of Bergen Port Authority and Cruise Destination Bergen work actively with decision makers in the cruise companies for the cruise ships to visit Bergen. We want longer seasons, and that the vessels are distributed smoothly in relation to the berth capacity we have in Bergen.”