Reykjavik targets more turnarounds, investing €24.3m in a new terminal

It will be located at 312 Skarfabakki. Construction of the multipurpose BREEAM-certified building is due to commence this fall, the Cruise Europe member reports.

According to Sigurdur Jokull Olafsson, marketing manager of Faxaports, the building will be a 'visual landmark overlooking the beautiful Faxa Bay, where guests could enjoy the surroundings from outside, as well as inside.’

Turnaround target

At the heart of the terminal will be a multi-functional open space for turnaround operations. This will be surrounded by a glass structure to bring light and ambience to the building which will also be used for MICE events outside of the cruise season. 
 
Faxaports is investing €24.3m in the project, because ‘Reykjavik is becoming a key turnaround port in the North Atlantic,’ he explained.

This year 265 calls bringing 285,000 passengers are scheduled, of which about 90,000 will be on turnarounds. This compares with 184 calls and 170,770 passengers in 2022.

‘The future is growth in turnaround passengers,’ Olafsson said.

Located in Sundahofn, the terminal will be a 3km shuttle bus ride from the city. At present, turnarounds are catered to by a small building and tents at 619mtr long quay.

Shore power

The port is also investing €20.7m in shore power on two high-voltage connections at the new terminal.

This September a low voltage 1.5 MVA to cater for smaller ships came on stream in the Old Harbour. Hurtigruten’s Maud was the first to plug in.