Reykjavik terminal on track for 2025 opening – Cruise Europe
A 5,000m2 terminal on two floors is due to open at 312 Skarfabakki in the Port of Reykjavik in 2025 and be fully functional in 2026.
Construction of the multipurpose BREEM-certified building is due to commence in autumn 2023. “The brief for the project was to design a building that would accommodate different requirements regarding passenger flow and luggage handling in the most flexible way possible. The building should also be a visual landmark at the harbour overlooking the beautiful Faxa Bay, where guest could enjoy the surroundings from outside as well as inside the building,” explains Sigurdur Jokull Olafsson, marketing manager of Faxaports.
A black box concept was conceived at the heart of the terminal in order to create 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.
“A terminal is often the first point of entry to any destination so it should be as welcoming as possible,” comments Olafsson. Faxaports are investing IKr2.8 billion (€24.3 million) “because Reykjavik is becoming a key turnaround port in the North Atlantic,” he explains.
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 the turnaround passengers as we are more or less at capacity [in terms of pier capacity],” comments Olafsson.
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 619m-long quay.
In terms of onshore power, the port is working on a three-year plan, with an investment of €20.7 million, for two high-voltage connections by the new terminal. On September 19, the Minister of Infrastructure formally opened a low voltage 1.5 MVA OPS for smaller ships in the Old Harbour. Hurtigruten’s Maud was the first to plug in.
(Reykjavik terminal on track for 2025 opening – Cruise Europe)
