Cruise operators hear key information from Svalbard Cruise Forum members

Some 200 people joined the session called ‘Longyearbyen - The Gateway to Svalbard.'

‘The operators wish to acquire new knowledge and learn about the opportunities of visiting Longyearbyen. We need to make sure that they have an even better understanding of the place they visit,’ stated Eva Britt Kornfeldt, coordinator for Svalbard Cruise Forum.

Operational conditions and emergency facilities

During the two-hour session, the Norwegian Coastal Administration gave a presentation of their focus areas and services. The Norwegian Maritime Authority honed in on vessel inspections, while the Norwegian Joint Rescue Coordination Center reminded operators about the challenging operational conditions and long distances - they conveyed the important message to call in early in case of an incident.

A spokesperson from Longyearbyen Hospital emphasised the provision's limited size and urged operators to ensure that its capacity is used only for emergencies. 

The governor’s tourism advisor gave information about rules and regulations concerning Svalbard, while Longyearbyen Council’s new waste facilities were presented with information on waste disposal in Svalbard. 

Both Port of Longyearbyen and Svalbard Airport – Longyear, focused on logistics and guidelines for the upcoming season.

A baptism of fire

‘This meeting was, in many ways, the baptism of fire for Svalbard Cruise Forum,’ remarked Visit Svalbard CEO Ronny Brunvoll. ‘As far as I know, no other cruise destination has gathered the local community, authorities and so many global stakeholders from the industry at the same table before.’ 

Svalbard Cruise Forum

Svalbard Cruise Forum – a collaboration established earlier this year between local stakeholders and the cruise industry – works to minimise strain on the local community by coordinating the logistics around arrivals. Another important goal is to increase local value creation through dialogue between industry and local businesses. 

Frigg Jørgensen, executive director, Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators, said she is proud of AECO being a part of Svalbard Cruise Forum's work. ‘Svalbard Cruise Forum is becoming the ultimate example of cooperation between cruise industry and local communities, aiming to ensure mutual value creation and sustainability,’ she said. The meeting was ‘one of many measures on our list and we hope that this work will inspire other destinations.’