Cruise traffic in Copenhagen to set new records in 2016 and 2017

In 2016 Copenhagen Malmö Port expects growth of 9% in the number of cruise visitors to Copenhagen, and at the end of June a record will be set for the number of visitors on one single day. Next year will beat all records with 850,000 cruise visitors. The cruise business as a whole contributes around DKK 1.3 billion to the Danish capital’s economy.

Cruise traffic has seen a particularly positive trend for Copenhagen over the last ten years. In 2005 there were around 400,000 passengers and this year 740,000 visitors are expected, representing growth of 9% compared with 2015. Just under half of this year’s calls are what are referred to as turnaround calls, where ships change passengers. These calls are particularly lucrative, because they generate higher revenues for hotels, airlines, traders, restaurants and other businesses in the tourism and experience industry.

Promising future
“The outlook for the cruise industry is especially promising, with a steady rise in demand and more ships, even bigger ones, coming out of the shipyards. We expect to see continued growth in the number of visitors and ships coming to Copenhagen,” says COO Arnt Møller Pedersen from Copenhagen Malmö Port (CMP), who is responsible for cruise traffic operations in Copenhagen.

CMP can already confirm that 2017 will beat all previous records. This is because the cruise companies plan well ahead, and with the agreements signed at the moment it is expected that 850,000 cruise visitors will be coming to Copenhagen next year. This will beat the previous record from 2012 of 840,000 visitors.

Record for a single day
The 2016 season begins on 28 April, and during the course of the year there are 304 calls scheduled by 67 different ships from 35 different shipping companies. In June, seven ships are expected on one single day with 24,000 guests and 7,000 crew members. This will be the highest number of cruise visitors in Copenhagen ever seen on one single day.

The trend for cruise ships calling at Copenhagen is that they are getting bigger and bigger. The biggest ones can take as many as 4,000 passengers. This places new demands on effective logistics, especially if you want to be a turnaround destination.

Positive financial impact
“There has been massive investment in ensuring that Copenhagen remains an attractive cruise destination, including the new Ocean Quay, which opened last year. It’s great to see that many years of hard work from all involved in the industry are now bearing fruit,” says Arnt Møller Pedersen.

It is estimated that the cruise industry generates around 4,000 jobs (primarily seasonal employment) and contributes total revenues of DKK 1.3 billion to the Greater Copenhagen economy. The more than 100,000 extra passengers expected in 2017 will generate additional revenues for the tourism industry of an estimated DKK 200-225 million.

For further information, please contact:
Arnt Møller Pedersen, COO,
Cruise & Ferries, Copenhagen Malmö Port
Tel. +45 3546 1107

FACTS

• Cruise ships are getting bigger and bigger, with as many as 4,000 passengers per ship. There are expected to be 15 visits from the really big ships in 2016. 55 major visits are already scheduled next year.

• One single large cruise ship with 4,000 passengers generates 12,000 suitcases being handled, 15 large trucks of provisions, 35-40 coaches, 1,500 trips by taxi or limousine and a number of passengers travelling by bus, train and Metro.

• The 2016 season starts on 28 April and ends on 13 October – apart from three Christmas visits in December.

• A total of 304 calls are planned in 2016 by 67 different ships from 35 different shipping companies.

• In June 2016 on one single day seven ships are expected, with 24,000 passengers and 7,000 crew members. The highest-ever number in Copenhagen on one single day.

• 850,000 cruise visitors are expected in Copenhagen in 2017. This will be a new record.

• The cruise industry generates 4,000 jobs (primarily seasonal employment) and contributes DKK 1.3 billion to the Danish capital city’s economy.

• Most cruise visitors come from Germany (27%), followed by the USA/Canada (26%), the UK (14%), Italy (4%) and Spain (4%). Denmark is in tenth place (2%).

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