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Kiel sets new records as 2022 cruise season closes

Closing the 2022 cruise season today with a call by Vasco da Gama, the Port of Kiel announced this year broke all previous records, even exceeding the 2019 season.

Frederik Erdmann, German Correspondent

October 27, 2022

1 Min Read
CRUISE Kiel
Two cruise ships docked at Ostseekai and another one at Ostuferhafen, in the backgroundPHOTO: PORT OF KIEL

Kiel recorded 834,431 passengers, a 4% increase, on 243 calls, a nearly 39% spike above 2019. While the turnaround segment — a core business for Kiel as one of Germany's leading cruise hubs — prospered, transit calls grew even more spectacularly. 

Transit segment growth 

The 34 transit calls corresponded to 14% of the total calls — considerably more than in previous years. Passengers on transit calls numbered about 70,000, or 8.4% of the total.

According to the Port of Kiel, many transit passengers spent time in Kiel itself, but some took excursions further afield, including to Hamburg.

Maiden calls

Port of Kiel MD Dirk Claus said 2022 saw more maiden calls than any previous year — 20 — with more than half of those by US operators including Norwegian Cruise Line and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. 

Shore power used for 19 calls 

Nineteen calls were supplied with shore power, including AIDAprima, Mein Schiff 4, Mein Schiff 6, Artania and Nieuw Statendam.

Claus expects this number to triple in 2023, adding that numerous vessels have already scheduled integration tests in preparation for using shore power. He called on operators to continue adapting ships for cold ironing.

Tariff incentive

Seatrade Cruise News understands Kiel's tariff structure, granting reduced fees to ships ready to take shore power, is an incentive. Even the owners of a 1960s-era vessel are said to be interested.

Kiel currently supplies cruise ships docked at Ostseekai in the city centre with shore power; two additional plants are scheduled to become operational at Ostuferhafen late next year that will make cold ironing available also at Berth No. 1 located there.

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About the Author

Frederik Erdmann

German Correspondent

Frederik Erdmann is Seatrade's German cruise correspondent since 2002. Following secondary school graduation he joined the port agency network, Sartori & Berger, on a vocational training program. After subsequent studies of Business Administration, Frederik Erdmann held various positions at Sartori & Berger until 2010. After a period of working with the Flensburg Chamber of Commerce, he was appointed Designated Person Safety/Security, Environment and Quality of the coastal ferry operator, Wyker Dampfschiffs-Reederei. As a maritime trade press correspondent and visiting lecturer of the Flensburg University of Applied Sciences,

Frederik Erdmann concentrates on ferry and cruise ship management, port development as well as safety and security in passenger shipping. He is also a member of the Flensburg Chamber of Commerce's Tourism Committee.

 

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