CMP’s seminar in Almedalen: Sustainable cruise traffic an engine for growth in the Baltic region
At a packed seminar in Visby, the panel were in agreement that cruise traffic in the Baltic has great potential for further development.
With sustainable solutions, continued cooperation and high quality reception of passengers, cruise traffic can become the Baltic’s new engine for growth.
The number of passengers on cruises that visit Sweden is increasing all the time, as is the proportion of cruise passengers out of the total number of tourists. Populous countries like China and Australia are becoming increasingly interested in cruises. Johan Röstin, CEO of CMP, feels that this represents major opportunities, but also challenges.
”An increased number of passengers in each ship that arrives also places greater demands on the structure and logistics in the port”.
Johan Castvall, CEO of Ports of Stockholm, a major collaborator with CMP, emphasised the importance of a longer cruise season, longer mooring times and improved environmental management.
”We look forward to putting new rules in place for grey- and blackwater during 2019”, he said.
In the current situation, there are few ports in the Baltic Sea that have automatically manage grey- and black water. Copenhagen’s new Oceankaj is one of these.
Anna Petersson, Head of Section at the Maritime and Civil Aviation Department, Swedish Transport Agency, perceived major benefits in the ports’ impatience in relation to environmental issues while awaiting international regulations to come into force.
”Collecting good examples from a range of ports enables Sweden to be marketed as a sustainable alternative, which can also make us competitive”, she felt, receiving support from Ulrika Hallesius, Director of Public Affairs & Corporate Communications, VisitSweden:
”Cruise traffic is an important way to increase tourism overall in Sweden. It is precisely the quality aspect that is important in distinguishing us”.
