Kiel’s new cruise terminal takes shape

The new pavilion will allow Kiel to accommodate three large cruise ships at one time, instead of two as previously. The steel support framework for the pavilion is almost complete and the next step involves cladding of the 1,670m² structure with a transparent plastic covering. The new pavilion will allow handling of both passenger exchange and cruise turnarounds on three large cruise ships.

The new passenger pavilion is more than 110m long, 14m wide and 10m high, passenger check-in and waiting areas covering 1,560m². Directly dovetailed into the building is a further hall space of around 3,000m² with luggage and control areas. The project to upgrade the Ostuferhaven for the cruise shipping sector has been divided into two phases.

During 2013, new fendering was installed along the 400m long berth, further work ensuring a constant water depth of 10m alongside. It is planned to inaugurate the new pavilion on 2 June this year when Costa Crociere’s 114,288gt, 3,780 passenger cruise ship Costa Pacifica departs from Kiel at the start of a ten-day Baltic cruise.

Dr Dirk Claus, managing director of the Port of Kiel (SEEHAFEN KIEL GmbH & Co KG) said: “The work is right on target and will be finished at the end of May… A very efficient facility is being created at Berth No.1 and as far as its processing quality is concerned it will be in no way inferior to that at the Ostseekai Cruise Shipping Terminal. Very big ships carrying 4,000 and more passengers can now be processed smoothly in the Ostuferhaven. We are investing a good four million Euros in sea tourism in the Ostuferhaven. It covers the ship berth, passenger and luggage areas and site logistics including port security.”

During 2014, twenty two different cruise ships are due to make a total of 125 calls at Kiel, most visits being to change passengers to begin a new cruise (rather than just host the cruise ship for a day’s visit). Dr Claus expands on this by adding: “The demand for sea travel is greater now in Germany than ever before. We benefit from this development and we are ideally located both as an arrival and departure port for Nordic and Baltic Cruises. With the new berth No.1 we are now creating the capacity to handle 150 cruise ships every season in the future.”

Along with the Ostuferhaven berth, Kiel also has two berths for cruise ships at the Ostseekai Cruise Shipping Terminal while smaller ships of up to 200m in length can call at the Norwegenkai.

By Peter Barker