SEATRADE CRUISE SHIPPING CONVENTION 2007 – NEW OPPORTUNITIES OPEN FOR KLAIPEDA

                It was the fourth time that the Lithuanian national delegation from Klaipeda visited the major worldwide cruise shipping convention Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention 2007 (Seatrade) held at Miami (USA) where Lithuania was represented at its national stand (18 sq m) on the strategically located Cruise Europe street. Besides Lithuania, another 960 countries and companies were represented on the 30 000 square metres trade floor.

 

                In his welcome speech at the opening of the conference Christopher Hayman, Managing Director, Seatrade, underlined that the cruise shipping sector grew by 9 percent in 2006 worldwide, whereas the growth in the Baltic region constituted the high rate of 30 percent.   As many as 33 brand new cruise ships will be built and launched into operation by the year 2010.  These facts, according to Managing Director of Seatrade, show dynamic development of cruise shipping business and an ample demand for new cruise ports, especially minor and not yet explored ones.  Another new trend is apparent in the region of the Baltic Sea – Christmas Season cruises.  Both mentioned developments open new opportunities and positive future prospects for the port of Klaipeda, and, in addition, it places commitment to proactively develop the marketing of the port and city of Klaipeda, so that it is Klaipeda and not the neighbouring ports that utilise the newly opened development opportunities.

 

                During the event the Lithuanian delegation worked at a 4 day conference, 3 day exhibition, and in the working group of the project Baltic Cruise Project (BCP), which markets 10 ports within the Baltic Sea region, and presentation of the said project to representatives of cruise lines, at the regular session of the association Cruise Europe  uniting 98 European ports as well as at the meeting of the Baltic Region working group operating within the framework of the mentioned association, and also at individual meetings with representatives of cruise lines, tourism companies, cruise shipping associations and analysts, managers of other cruise ports, etc.  

 

                The delegation of Klaipeda was invited and attended the celebration of Lithuanian Independence Restoration Day on 11 March organised by the US Lithuanian community of Florida State presided by chairman Kęstutis Miklas, with whom opportunities of promotion of Lithuania and its cruise shipping in the USA were discussed.  Mindaugas Butkus, Consul General of the Republic of Lithuania in New York, also participated at the event.   He was presented with the ambitions of Klaipeda to attract over 100 cruise ships calls on a yearly basis, in addition, information on the port and city marketing measures, innovations and aspirations was shared.

 

                At the exhibition Seatrade 2007 the Lithuanian national stand was equipped along the lines of maritime and national themes, visitors to the stand were introduced to the new developments in Klaipeda for 2007 and longer term, traditional and new tourist products of the city (i.e., excursions, tours and infrastructure) as well as innovations for 2008 cruise season.  The companies that entered in the delegation presented new publications specially issued for the exhibition, souvenirs, and Lithuanian national treats.    

               

 

                Members of the delegation had a chance to meet and discuss the future cooperation guidelines with nearly every major world cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruise Line, Costa Crociere S.P.A., Crystal Cruises, Dysney Cruise Line, Fred Olsen Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Karlsen Shipping Company Ltd, MSC Cruises, Norvegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Seaborn Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises, etc. (in alphabet order). The key objective was to promote interest of the cruise lines in the cruise infrastructure of the port of Klaipeda and tourist products of the city, thereby attempting to increase the number of calls.  The cruise lines, which already visit our port, and the lines, which have not yet been in Klaipeda, as well as the lines, which thus far have ignored the Baltic Sea region but are planning to include the region in their routes, were presented with the project on rebates and discounts on port dues to enter in force as of 2008.   New results are expected also from the talks on Christmas cruises in Klaipeda in winter and inclusion of Klaipeda in luxury cruising in their worldwide cruise programs. 

 

                The Lithuanian delegation is also planning and has already discussed an efficient presentation of our country at Seatrade Europe 2007 to be held in Hamburg on 25 to 27 September later this year, and the next year event Seatrade 2008 scheduled for 9-13 March 2008 in Miami.

               

                The Lithuanian delegation at Seatrade 2007 included Romena Savickienė, Director of Klaipeda Tourism and Culture Information Centre, Lina Gudelionytė-Gylienė, Head of the Marketing Department of the State Enterprise Klaipeda State Seaport Authority and advertising manager Silvija Jonkuvienė, Marius Serapinas, manager of the private company UAB “Krantas travel”, Saulius Laumenis, Head of Agency Department of UAB “Limarko”, Genadijus Šapkinas, representative of the ship repair yard AB “Klaipėdos laivų remontas”, the national stand also received a visitor from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, counsel of the Lithuanian Embassy in the US Sigita Kavaliūnaitė.