Cruise ship terminal

The maritime city is created by the sea and its people. The lack of high-quality waterside spaces for citizens, the deterioration of quaysides, the lack of infrastructure for cruise ships and recreational boats drives to search for effective solutions. The new cruise terminal will address all these problems and add value to the residents and visitors of Klaipėda.

The new cruise terminal will give the public another access to the Curonian Lagoon. It’s a place to enjoy the ships, watch the sunset or just have a cup of morning coffee while enjoying the views. We are also opening the Winter Harbour. The Winter Harbour, which was inaccessible to the eyes of Klaipėda residents for a long time, is opening up like the palm of your hand – you will be able to observe the port’s activities while staying in the cruise terminal. The project includes a staircase leading to the water, pedestrian and cycling paths, spaces for events, exhibitions and commercial activities.

With the long-term growth trend in cruise shipping, both globally and in the Baltic region, the Port of Klaipėda faces the following constraints:

• to receive several cruise ships at the same time;
• to receive cruise ships during city events;
• to accommodate an increasing number of cruise ships;
• unrepresentative environment of the existing terminal.

Due to these restrictions, some cruise ships do not visit Klaipėda.

It is estimated that around 60 additional ships will berth in Klaipėda in 2030 after the new terminal becomes operational. This is estimated to generate revenue amounting to around EUR 3.6 million a year for the port city’s businesses directly related to cruise shipping.

In addition to the new cruise terminal, there is an opportunity to create a marina for entertainment crafts. A new marina in the city centre will address the current shortage of berths for them.

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Adjacent to the new cruise ship terminal, there is an opportunity to develop a marina for recreational vessels. This new city-center pier will help address the current shortage of berthing spaces for leisure boats.

Additionally, land plots will be designated for lease and commercial development, aiming to support activities that create added value for both the port and the city. The construction of the new cruise terminal will bring long-term socio-economic benefits not only to the port authority but also to the city. The growth in cruise ship and tourist arrivals will boost the service sector, including:

It is projected that the project’s implementation will generate additional revenues for local businesses, ranging from €3.3 million in 2029 to €6.1 million in 2031.

The project, based on the winning entry of the architectural competition, was prepared by UAB “Statybos inžinierių konsultantų biuras”. The project’s authors are UAB “Architektūros linija” and MB “Devyni plius architektai,” including Gintaras Čaikauskas (project leader), Andrius Keizikas, Arnas Deltuva, Martynas Lukas, and Miroslaw Szejnycki.