Hamburg records its highest ever number of cruise calls

‘After two years of pandemic-related restrictions, cruise shipping in Hamburg has made a strong comeback,’ commented Simone Maraschi, MD, Cruise Gate Hamburg. ‘At 280 calls the 2022 cruise season has seen the most calls ever at Hamburg, surpassing even pre-pandemic levels.

‘We are very happy about the high demand for cruises departing from Hamburg. For us it is proof that the enormous efforts and the adaptability demonstrated by the entire industry during the COVID-19 pandemic are truly appreciated.'

Next year sees held Hamburg Cruise Days from September 8-10, Seatrade Europe from 6-8 September at Congress Centre Hamburg and celebrations to mark the 834th anniversary of the port from May 5-7. Eight maiden calls are also scheduled at Hamburg in 2023 with Ocean Albatros and Explora I among them.

70 calls more than before the pandemic

This year’s calls involved 49 different ships from 20 cruise lines, 10 maiden calls, one naming ceremony and roughly 750,000 passengers, as well as 41 calls by river cruise ships.

In 2019 Hamburg documented 210 calls.

Shore power

According to current planning, cruise ships berthing at the Cruise Center Steinwerder may be supplied green shore power in the second half of 2023. From 2025, Hamburg’s permanent cruise terminals will offer shorepower and in the same year, the facility at the new Cruise Center HafenCity is expected to be available.

Caring for local citizens

‘By rapidly expanding its shore power facilities, the Port of Hamburg shows its commitment to protecting the environment and takes account of the expectations Hamburg’s citizens have of a city port,’ said Jens Meier, CEO, Hamburg Port Authority. ‘We are looking forward to being one of Europe’s first ports to offer both cruise ships and container vessels shore-based power at the berth in 2025.’

A total of 30 ships relied on shorepower this season at the port supplied at the Altona station. Four vessels carried out integration tests. In 2023 twelve ships are planned to undergo integration tests.

Continued Maraschi, ‘Together with our colleagues at the HPA we are in intensive talks with various cruise lines that have indicated that they will fit their ships with onboard shore power equipment to enable them to rely on shore-side electricity in Hamburg. Every ship that is certified to use the Altona shore power station - and in future Steinwerder and HafenCity - is a further step in the sustainable development of cruise tourism in Hamburg.’

Maraschi concluded, ‘Ports and cruise lines must combine their efforts to make ports greener and get more ships to use shore power. Increased reliance on shore power in Hamburg may inspire other ports in Europe to follow Hamburg’s lead.’