Klaipėda port took part in the biggest cruise exhibition Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention 2009 in Miami

 

 

Exhibition and conference is organized for the 25th time already (the first two events were in New York, but due to bad weather conditions it was transferred to Miami). This year the area of the exhibition was bigger than last year and made more than 15 000 m²; about 1000 exponents from all over the world were presented there. More precise statistic data will be hosted in the website by the organizers in several weeks.

 

The only Lithuanian port and Klaipėda city and the region was presented in one joint stand where Klaipėda city, port and cruise business companies were present – SE Kaipeda State Seaport Authority, PE Klaipėda Tourism and culture information centre, UAB Limarko shipping agency,  UAB Klaipėdos Meja and  AB Klaipėda ship repair yard.

 

As the exhibition traditionally took place for three days (March 17-19), Lithuanian cruise stand (area 18 m² ) received special attention of the visitors – the advantages of Klaipėda port were presented, the attractiveness of the region, uniqueness etc. Klaipėda port cruise stand was located in European cruises association street (in this street there were also presented the ports belonging to the mentioned association).  

During the exhibition the visitors were invited to taste Lithuanian tree-cake which was presented to the visitors as a wedding cake, therefore it received special attention and interest from the visitors.

Lithuanian delegation met the heads of cruise companies during the event – Royal Caribbean International/Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Fred Olsen Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Thomson Cruises, Costa Cruise Line, Cunard Line Ltd – and presented the attractiveness and oneness of our region, proposed attractions, port infrastructure development projects and successfully applied since last year the discounted port dues system to cruise liners (out of all Baltic port that are the members of Cruise Europe association, the only port of Klaipėda started applying port dues discounts in order to attract cruise vessels (and not only the vessels) to come to Klaipėda port as often as possible.   

The members of the delegation were especially pleased by the fact that after the meeting with the representatives of Royal Caribbean it became clear that this year the above-mentioned line is going to seriously consider Klaipėda port as a potential tourism attraction centre. The other cruise line is also going to consider such a possibility – Sea Bourn Cruise Line, which is famous for luxury cruises. It is a matter of prestige to attract the above-mentioned cruise line to Klaipėda port.

During the exhibition the members of the delegation met the representatives of travel agencies, associated organizations of cruise business, heads of projects inducing cruise business and the representatives of media. The members of the delegation took part in the meetings and working groups of the association Cruise Europe.  During the meetings the representatives of Baltic ports said that the number of cruise vessels will increase in 2009, otherwise than it was expected.

Since the introductory session it was discussed only about the growth of cruise shipping sector, building of new cruise vessels (bigger ones, equipped with the most modern techniques) and development of services for cruise passengers, i.e. the heads of cruise lines, who made reports, said that in spite of present economic recession it was necessary to expand the scope of cruise sector services and enhance quality of services (for the same price) in order the cruise passengers were fascinated and came back for the next cruise.  

Besides, a lot was said about the potential attraction of cruise passenger – such passenger who had never been a cruise passenger. The speakers at the conference called 2009 cruise traveller as more careful one – saving money and sailing only on the most favourable conditions. The changes of cruise shipping were also discussed (in1980-2008 the annual growth of cruises made 7,4 percent), as well as the forecasts and novelties in different regions of the world. The speakers at the conference mentioned that among the most perspective ones there were new countries – Asia, United Arab Emirates, Alaska, and the Baltic Sea region and among the most popular there remain the Caribbean and the Mediterranean Sea regions.

According to the speakers, the growth of cruises in 2009, comparing to the last year, will reach even 14 percent. In 2008 7 new vessels were built and following the preliminary calculations, even this year there are going to be built 14 cruise vessels and during 2010-2012 – 27 new cruise vessels. They talked about the new vessel „Oasis of the Seas“which is under construction, where 5400 cruise passengers will be able to travel (including the crew of 8000 people).

The old ships will be reconstructed and equipped with modern technologies and software products and this proves once more that cruise shipping sector does not surrender to economic recession and rapidly step forward. According to the speakers of the conference, „cruise industry is doomed to survive this rough period and later on it will become even stronger“.

During the conference they discussed about proper preparation to accommodate bigger liners and serve ever growing passenger flows. New port infrastructure and terminal projects and the services were discussed (it was noted that cruise ships might be used for the organization of conferences, exhibitions, concerts etc.). Other speakers of the conference analyzed the problems connected with the selection and training of personnel, improvement of services and proposals of new types of entertainment on liners. As cruises become affordable for average income having passengers, the organizers of cruises again turn to the needs of rich passengers, therefore, they discussed at the conference about the organization of especially luxurious cruises for them. Besides, the cooperation among the representatives of cruise business, ports and cruise services rendering companies was especially stressed at the event.  

 

This year event Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention was especially important for our city and port for the abundance of contacts, knowledge and dissipation of becoming known and it allows anticipating for excellent results.  

 

More information about the exhibition and conference you will find at Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention  website: http://www.cruiseshipping.net/.