Orkney’s history, stunning scenery and unique wildlife make it a must-see destination for cruise passengers. The iconic locations such as Skara Brae, St Magnus Cathedral and the Italian Chapel bring more people to our shores, but we recognise the urge to dig deeper and experience life off the north coast of Scotland. Working with our local suppliers and shore excursion experts, cruise lines are looking at how they can engage all the senses of receptive travellers. Whether they’re baking bannocks, catching and cooking seafood on the deck of a creel boat or taking a leisurely tour around Scapa Flow watching for the orca, guests can have a taste of the true Orcadian experience in a day. As the harbour authority for the Orkney Islands, we are responsible for the management of vessels calling into the 15 different locations they can berth and anchor. We are currently in the planning phase for a large extension of our premier cruise berth at Hatston pier that will provide a 685-metre-long quay at 10 metre water depth. This will create even more space off the pier for cruise operations and allow us to build the necessary facilities to provide a variety of future fuel options to the quay edge, including shore power. We recently joined the Environmental Port Index programme, which gives us a baseline data spread for the visit of cruise vessels. We are also collating data on our own emissions from road and marine transport, and this will give us a clear insight to how we should move forward as we aim to develop a sustainable destination. In our roles as both a local authority and statutory harbour authority, we are also now involved in the discussions around a new cruise levy for Scotland. Being owned by Orkney Islands Council, we are in a unique position to provide an insight into the marine and public sector, and this will be vital to ensure a fair discussion and solution is reached that does not affect any of our destinations in Scotland. We must balance the economic benefit that cruise provides our local community with the increased cost pressures on local authorities to provide services and infrastructure that are critical for the future of the destination. EUROPE: COMMENTARY Planning a sustainable future for the Orkney Islands The most popular transit port in the UK is getting brighter and better with new cruise developments and initiatives PAUL OLVHOJ Business development manager at Orkney Islands Council Harbour Authority “ Guests can have a taste of the true Orcadian experience in a day” 85
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzQ1NTk=