Ports Forum Programme - 24 June 2013

14:00 Opening Remarks
    –   Welcome – Chris Ashcroft
    –   Introductory remarks – Neil Palomba
    –   Moderators – Luis de Carvalho and Chris Ashcroft

14:10–14:55 Port Infrastructure / Lay out / Facilities
Larger berthing facilities, bigger fences and new generation gangways are required to service the current generation of ships. Even the layout of the port itself might need to be adapted in order to maintain safety for passengers and to improve accessibility and manoeuvrability for ships within the harbour.

These requirements represent significant investments by ports - such investment, especially for ‘public owned ports’, is a long process as it has to be approved by governments - ships are built in 2-4 years. Given seasonality issues in some ports and priority for commercial shipping in others what return can ports expect on these investments? How can ports find and secure the investments and be sure that cruise ships are still in the region by the time the investments are made?

Presentation by:
Tine Oelmann, Director Port Operations, Shorex and Ground Handling, TUI Cruises

Panel:
Tine Oelmann, Director Port Operations, Shorex and Ground Handling, TUI Cruises
Michel Nestour, Vice President Global Ports Euromed Carnival Corporation & PLC
José María Urrutia Mera, President Ports de Balears
Jens Meier, Managing Director Hamburg Port Authority

Panel discussion and open debate

14:55–15:05 Sponsor Presentation

15:05–15:50 Congestion issues
(Accessibility/ Transport Issues/ Port City Interface/ Tourist attractiveness)

Logistics are getting more complicated: How should a town plan to receive all the buses when a large number of ships arrive at the same time or one large ship arrives in a small port? Where can they be placed and how can traffic jams be avoided? These ports have to work with the urban development agencies a long time in advance. Which other parts of the landside operation faces challenges? Impact on the most frequently visited places; environmental risks; bus and guides capacity availability on busiest days. Would the passenger/cruise line pay for a tax for investment in the local attractions visited?

Presentation by:
Adam Sharp, Manager Port Operations EMEA RCCL

Panel:
Adam Sharp, Manager Port Operations EMEA RCCL
Harald von der Osten-Sacken, Director Destination Management AIDA Cruises
Arnt Moller Pedersen, COO Copenhagen Malmo Port
Stavros Hatzakos, General Manager Piraeus Port Authority and President MedCruise

Panel discussion and open debate

15:50–16:00 Sponsor Presentation

16:00–16:15 Coffee break

16:15–16:25 Sponsor Presentation

16:25–18:00 Session 3

1 – Destination Coordination – the relationship between stakeholders
The importance of Chambers of Commerce, tourism and destination management companies understanding all the local issues connected to cruise tourism development is crucial if they are to effectively coordinate responses and be involved with its development – or lack of it.

Positioning statement:
Wenche Nygard Eeg, Managing Director Cruise Norway

Open debate

2 – Port Waste Reception Facilities – black and grey water management
Cruise ship crews work hard to segregate waste to the highest environmental levels but there is a lack of supporting facilities at ports, so that all the lines’ effort spent on segregation, storage, compacting and crew sensitization often goes to waste. Many ports do not recycle or, if they do, they charge more for removing regular garbage. There is a lot of confusion about how the different wastes – sewage, sludge, bilge and ballast/grey/black water – are generated, stored and treated on passenger ships which now have advanced treatment plants.

Positioning statement:
Tom Strang, SVP Maritime Development and Compliance Costa Cruises
Elisabetta De Nardo, Port Operations & Development Director Costa Cruises

Open debate

3 – Destination selection process – where does fuel fit into the calculation?
Itinerary planning has become a highly complex business with a matrix of selection criteria derived from revenue management and finance, and the three departments of marketing, marine and operations. Fuel has now become a critically important component of this process as it represents such a high proportion of the escalating operational costs faced by cruise lines. How important is the fuel calculation in the port selection process and how should ports react to its influence?

Positioning statement:
Eduardo López-Puertas, VP Land Operations and Onboard Revenue Pullmantur
Steven Young, Head of Port Operations and Services Carnival UK

Open debate

18:00 Closing remarks