01.09.2023
Press release by the Hamburg Port Authority
Hamburg, 01.09.2023 - In recent years, the Port of Hamburg has developed into one of the top destinations in the cruise sector. This is evidenced not least by the steadily rising passenger numbers. After the challenges posed by the Corona pandemic, the cruise business has developed very positively in the course of the 2023 season so far, which can be attributed, among other things, to Hamburg's development into a year-round destination with regular calls also during the winter months. By the end of the 2023 season, around one million passengers are expected in Hamburg for the first time. This development is unprecedented in Hamburg's cruise business.
The pioneer in the cruise sector in Hamburg was AIDA Cruises. At the beginning of 2019, the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and AIDA Cruises signed a so-called long-term agreement (LTA) for the first time. Today, Senator for Economic Affairs Dr Melanie Leonhard, HPA CEO Jens Meier and Felix Eichhorn, President of AIDA Cruises, reaffirmed their intention to continue to grow together sustainably in the future and signed another LTA with a term of five years.
Senator Dr Melanie Leonhard: "I am delighted that we will be working together with AIDA Cruises for another five years. Our clear message is: we want to further develop Hamburg as a cruise location together - with added value and sustainability. This is only possible with strong partners and in cooperation."
Jens Meier, CEO of the HPA: "AIDA Cruises has contributed significantly to the fact that we will probably reach the magic number of one million passengers this year. We don't want to rest on our laurels, but continue to work on this together - also in terms of our joint commitment to sustainability."
Felix Eichhorn, President AIDA Cruises: "We are the first cruise line to start using shore-side electricity in Europe. Since 2017 until today, AIDAsol has regularly purchased green shore power year after year during their layovers in the Port of Hamburg. As a shore power pioneer in the Port of Hamburg, we are happy to assist the Hamburg Port Authority as an experienced partner both for the shore-side and ship-side integration tests and for the opening of the new facility at the Steinwerder cruise terminal."
Photo: © Hamburg Port Authority (persons in the photo from left to right: Felix Eichhorn, Dr Melanie Leonhard, Jens Meier)
Press Contact: Hamburg Port Authority AöR | Tel.: +49 40 42847-2300 | E-Mail: pressestelle@hpa.hamburg.de
