By
Alex Smith |
Heraklion Port Authority is preparing for the restart of cruising in 2021, after establishing a series of agreements with local and international partners during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Greek port was chosen by TUI Cruises as the homeport of Mein Schiff 6, with 12,065 passengers arriving in Heraklion from Germany on 10 consecutive Sundays from September 2020. The port authority worked with Greek government agencies, company executives and port agents to manage the operation, along with 100 port employees.
The authority has also collaborated with the Municipality of Heraklion and Cruise Lines International Association to participate in a sustainability assessment group.
"It is the first time that we have participated as a port in this process, becoming the first destination since Dubrovnik in 2019 to take part in this kind of assessment,” said Minas Papadakis, CEO of Heraklion Port Authority. “It is a huge success for our city, the municipality and the port authority. The port authority is one of the parties that will co-finance the process, and we will receive a report that will evaluate the situation of the Port of Heraklion as a destination.”
The port now expects that cruise companies will bring their ships back into service gradually during 2021, with announcements anticipated to come at the end of May.