Passenger Port of Saint Petersburg took part in International Conference Cruise Europe 2019
From 4 to 7 March, representatives of the Passenger Port of St. Petersburg took part in the annual International Conference Cruise Europe in Bruges (Belgium), the company says in a press release. The conference has been held for 25 years, annually gathering more than 100 participants, including representatives of cruise lines, ports, leading journalists of industry publications, market experts.
Within the framework of the conference Cruise Europe 2019 on March 6, 2019, a meeting of the regional ports of the Baltic region was held. The meeting updated information on current investment projects in the ports of the Baltic region, discussed the availability of coastal power supply for cruise ships and plans for creating such infrastructure in ports, as well as the existing restrictions on “open-loop” scrubbers.
The main topics of speeches at the main conference, which was held in the new cruise terminal of the port Zeebrugge, were the role of the regional ports in the deployment of the global cruise fleet, the development of the route network and industry in the context of changing environmental standards, the experience of ports in interacting with premium segment brands and small cruise ships, as well as the general state of the European cruise industry and forecasts for its development.
Welcoming speech was made by Vice President of the Bruges Seaport Rick Goetinck and Chairman of the Association of Cruise Europe, Captain Michael McCarthy.
During the conference, presentations were made by Hernan Zini, Vice-President Worldwide Port Operations of Royal Carribean Cruise Lines, Executive Director Marine and Port Operations for Disney Cruise Lines, Russell Daya, Marine Operations Director of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Sander Groothuis and other representatives of the world's largest cruise brands.
At the end of the conference, the participants got acquainted with the port infrastructure and the new passenger terminal. It is noteworthy that in addition to the main terminal passenger function, the terminal is used as a business center and a venue for holding congress events. On the top floor of the terminal, there is an observation deck, a cinema in which visitors can see the history of the port of Zeebrugge, and a restaurant with a panoramic view of the port water area.
