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Cruise traffic a success factor for Copenhagen Malmö Port

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Copenhagen Malmö Port (CMP)'s cruise activities hit a record high in 2011 with the number of ships increasing by 20%. Vehicle handling also increased dramatically.  After a positive trend lasting several years, with major vehicle makers using CMP as an import hub, the company now expects further volume increases in 2012. Despite the unsettled market situation, CMP produced a good result in 2011 and is continuing to expand.

CMP's cruise activity volumes increased dramatically in 2011. 370 ships put into port, of which 368 in Copenhagen and two in Malmö. The corresponding number for CMP in 2010 was 308 ships. At the same time, the number of passengers increased to 820,000. This is nearly 25% more than in 2010, when the number of passengers was 662,000.

"The development reflects the popularity of Copenhagen and the strong growth in the cruise industry. The positive trend is expected to continue. An additional nine cruise ships will enter service in 2012," says MD Johan Röstin.

During 2011, CMP handled roughly 419,000 vehicles, an increase in volume of 30% on 2010. Vehicle import sales increased by 24% to SEK 105 million (SEK 85 million in the previous year). During the year, Honda and Subaru began using Malmö as a vehicle distribution hub. CMP now expects the volume to continue to increase in 2012. Another two Asian vehicle makers have shown great interest in establishing themselves here and more are being approached.

"The trend is for large global manufacturing companies to create distribution hubs from which they can supply a large region, for example the Baltic Rim countries. Interest in CMP, the biggest vehicle port in Scandinavia, remains high. We also already function as a hub for stainless steel and transit oil. Few ports can offer such good conditions in the form of area and logistics solutions," says Johan Röstin.

The increase in volume of vehicle imports and cruise traffic contributed to CMP's sales increasing by 8% in 2011 to SEK 727 million (SEK 675 million). The operating profit was SEK 106 million (SEK 116 million).

"This is a satisfactory result, considering the ongoing recession and the unsettled market situation. The fact that we continue to make large strategic investments shows that our shareholders believe in CMP and our ability to contribute to positive development in the region," says Johan Röstin.

Major investments in 2011-2014:

  • The extension of Norra Hamnen in Malmö was completed in 2011. This investment means that the company can handle five times more goods than before. The City of Malmö and the EU are also behind the project. With CMP they invested around SEK 900 million in the new state-of-the-art transport and logistics centre.

  • The three new goods terminals are the first stage in a long-term development plan for the Norra Hamnen area. The aim of the next stage, Malmö Northern Harbour Business Park, is to attract companies in sectors such as manufacturing, processing and logistics services. In the long term, Malmö Northern Harbour Business Park is planned to have an area of approximately 850,000 square metres.
  • The Prøvestenen area in Copenhagen has been extended by a further 18 hectares and 650 metres of new quay. Prøvestenen is centrally located and has long been an important terminal for oil and dry bulk products for the Copenhagen area.
  • A new cruise quay is being built in Copenhagen and is planned to be ready for the 2013 cruise season. Copenhagen is already the biggest, most popular cruise destination in Northern Europe. Via the new quay, which can accommodate three large cruise ships at the same time, CMP will further develop the fast-growing cruise traffic. The cruise quay will be 1,100 metres long and 70 metres wide.

Questions and comments:
Johan Röstin, MD CMP
+46 (0)40-680 41 65

Copenhagen Malmö Port AB (CMP), a Danish-Swedish company, is the largest port operator in the Öresund region. Each year, the company offers efficient transport services to nearly 8,000 ships in one of the Nordic region’s most dynamic and expansive markets. CMP was formed in 2011 through the merger of the ports of Malmö and Copenhagen. The company has about 400 employees and generated sales of SEK 785 million in 2009. CMP’s operations comprise cruise and container traffic as well as RoRo, tank and dry bulk ships. The company also has the Nordic region’s largest hub for car transports, handling 500,000 vehicles annually. CMP’s activities are based on concern for the environment and sustainable solutions in technology, infrastructure and services.