Greek Cruise Stakeholders Requesting Port Infrastructure Upgrades

Cruise stakeholders in Greece are calling for the immediate upgrade of key infrastructure at ports across the country in order to facilitate cruise ship approaches and arrivals, OT reports.

In a letter to 65 port authorities in Greece ahead of the peak summer season, the Union of Cruise Ship Owners and Associated Members (EEKFN) stressed the need for regulations and outlined priorities, which include the construction of cruise terminals and waiting areas in order provide shade to the millions of passengers who will be visiting during the summer and in view of expected high temperatures.

According to the association, priorities include the construction of operational visa/passport check facilities in order to facilitate arrivals from non-Schengen countries, actions to increase the safety of traveling passengers and crews in port zone areas and the protected anchorage for cruise ships.

The association is stressing that this requires strict adherence to measures and standards foreseen in the International ISPS Code.

“The protection of the environment from any activity that produces pollutants, due to the use of fossil fuels is a matter that requires everyone’s cooperation. For this purpose, the involvement of cruise authorities is important in order to transition to green energy as soon as possible,” the association notes.

 Last year, Greece broke all cruise travel records with 49 Greek ports welcoming 5,230 cruise ship arrivals and 7,003,150 passengers.

The Greek Tourism Ministry has taken actions to increase cruise passenger arrivals and cruise ship port calls while prioritizing the protection of destinations. Among others, priorities include setting quotas, imposing special levies, and launching a berth allocation system.