By
Rebecca Gibson |
The Hamburg Senate is to establish a cruise initiative to develop the city’s cruise infrastructure, strengthen the network of sector-related businesses and boost its appeal for operators.
Funded by a public-private partnership between by Hamburg Cruise Center (HCC) and local protagonists, the initiative will work to promote Hamburg as a sustainable cruise destination, while training staff. It will also support the development of local companies offering cruise-related products and services and aims to attract new businesses to the area. In addition, Hamburg Port Authority has been commissioned to construct a third cruise terminal in cooperation with the Airport Hamburg.
“The entire Hamburg economy has benefited from the impressive development in cruising – including the shipyards, supplier, excursions and transports companies – as well as catering and security companies,” said Senator Frank Horch. “More than 1,400 personnel contribute an estimated €270 million to added value created by the sector in Hamburg. The Hamburg Senate is keen to maintain this positive development and facilitate further growth.”
To support the initiative, the senate has also established a Cruise Office with HCC and Uniconsult.
“By establishing the cruise office, we are heralding the start of a new phase in Hamburg,” said Gerd Drossel, cruise officer at HCC. “In light of the growth rates, it is also our aim to increase value added for the cruising location as a whole and continue to promote cruising in unison.”
Hamburg is scheduled to handle 187 ship visits and 600,000 passengers this year. Earlier this month, the port of Hamburg celebrated its 825th anniversary with visits from 12 cruise ships and on 12 June, TUI Cruises’ newbuild Mein Schiff 3 will be christened in the city. In July, Hamburg will mark the 10th anniversary of the maiden visit of Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 and will hold its annual Hamburg Cruise Days in August.
“Together with its nearly 110 members, over the last 15 years Hamburg Cruise Center has developed Hamburg into the maritime competence centre of the cruise industry in the north,” said Stefan Behn, chairman of Hamburg Cruise Center. “We now need to pool our strengths and continue to build on this.”