The venture is a collaboration between Region Gotland and Copenhagen Malmö Port, CMP, with Region Gotland building the quay and CMP taking responsibility for the operation.
At the same time, both parties are marketing Gotland as a destination together with Gotland Cruise Network.
Around 200 guests attended the inauguration.
AIDAdiva is the second ship to have docked at the new quay - Astoria was the first to berth on April 16.
‘CMP has long and positive experience of developing cruise ports and marketing destinations. The fact that we are now also able to offer our customers Visby as a cruise destination is a milestone. It makes the cruise routes in the Baltic Sea even more attractive. Today is a big day and we are delighted to have the opportunity to be involved in developing Gotland as a cruise destination,’ said Barbara Scheel Agersnap, ceo of Copenhagen Malmö Port AB.
90,000 cruisers expected in 2018
Some 90 ship arrivals and 90,000 passengers are scheduled to visit Gotland during this year’s cruise season.
The aim is to reach 150,000 passengers within a few years.
‘Together with CMP and Gotland Cruise Network, we want to establish conditions for visitors to have unique and positive experiences of cruising to Gotland and that businesses throughout Gotland perceive the business opportunities our initiative and our collaboration with CMP entails,’ said Peter Lindvall, regional director of Region Gotland.
Sustainability features
Sustainability issues have played a major role during the project. The ships that come to Visby can empty their waste water into an underground basin, from where it is pumped onward to the sewage works. The sludge can then be used in biogas production on Gotland.
Two 340mtr long ships can dock simultaneously at the cruise quay. Including abutments, it will extend a total of about 600mtr out into the sea. The terminal, adjacent to the quay, is 300sq mtr and provides services for passengers and crew.
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