Klaipėda Port among the world’s most exciting cruise destinations
“Seatrade Cruise Global 2024”, the world’s largest cruise exhibition, is taking place in Miami this week. Among the world’s most exciting cruise destinations is also Lithuania’s port city, Klaipėda. Klaipėda Port, which is participating in the exhibition for the 19th time, not only presents Lithuania as a cruise destination but also focuses on the presentation of the new cruise ship terminal development project. It will open up even greater opportunities for cruise shipping in Klaipėda.
“The fact that every year new cruise ships arrive in Klaipėda, and this year we will have 10 such ships, is a strong proof that the work on presenting Lithuania as a maritime state and the attractiveness of our country is yielding tangible results. Exhibitions like this one are a great platform to talk to cruise companies directly, to hear their needs and future plans. Beyond that, this exhibition shapes cruise shipping trends for the next three years or so. We hope that in a few years Klaipėda will welcome the cruise ships with a more modern and new capacity”, says Kristina Gontier, International Relations Manager at the Seaport Authority.
Construction of the new cruise terminal is expected to start this year. In a few years, two new modern berths for cruise ships are expected to be built in Klaipėda Port. This project will also open up the Winter Port to citizens. There will be stairs leading to the water, paths for pedestrians and cyclists, spaces for events, exhibitions, commercial activities, and various port activities will be open to the public.
Miami is known as the cruise capital of the world, and its cruise terminals are among the most modern in the world. The Port of Miami has 10 terminals for cruise ships. “Seatrade Cruise Global” brings together the entire cruise industry, including ports and port cities that host cruise ships, hotel and travel agencies, the gastronomy industry, cruise companies, cruise operators, shipbuilders, manufacturers of equipment and technology, cruise industry associations, freight forwarding and agency companies and many more. Each year, the event focuses more and more on sustainability, the environment and innovation.
The “Seatrade Cruise Global 2024” is being organized for the 38th time. This year, it is estimated that 500 exhibitors will participate and over 13,000 visitors are expected. The exhibition includes a conference to discuss topical issues in the cruise business: the present, future and challenges of cruise shipping, environmental protection, fleet renewal and development, shipbuilding and design, on-board services and technologies, as well as passenger services in cruise terminals and the attractiveness of these terminals.
Klaipėda as a cruise shipping destination, the services and excursions offered in Klaipėda, the infrastructure available and planned for cruise shipping in Klaipėda Port are presented at the exhibition in Miami this year by representatives of the Klaipėda Port Authority, Klaipėda Tourism Information Centre, “Klaipėdos Mėja”, a tourism company operating in the port city, “UAB Limarko Maritime Agency”, a company that provides cruise ship agency services, and “UAB Klaipėdos laivų remontas”, which is terminal operator for cruise ships. Klaipėda Port’s stand presents innovations in cruise services, tourist excursion routes, port infrastructure and development plans.
Last year, the existing cruise ship terminal in Klaipėda Port already welcomed the season in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way. Wastewater from cruise ships is discharged into the sewage network after berth reconstruction and landscaping works.
The cruise ship season in Klaipėda is expected to end on 1 October this year. 53 cruise ships are expected here throughout the season, 10 of which will be arriving for the first time. Next year, 63 cruise ships have already expressed their wish to visit Klaipėda and bring tourists here.
