Page 179 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΟΚΤΩΒΡΙΟΣ 2024

ever before, it is urgent to take measures in cruise tourism, the following measures of call for the use of Onshore
to manage ship calls better and reinforce must be taken sooner than later: Power Supply (OPS) when ships
the infrastructure of local ports, so as • Establish a small cruise commit- are docked. This will significantly
to avoid over-tourism and at the same tee of no more than ten people, reduce air pollution from the ships,
time maximise the benefits for local chaired by the Secretary General as their engines will not be running
communities and the Greek economy of the Ministry of Shipping and during their stay in port.
as a whole. Insular Policy, with members from • Promote and advertise new, less
According to reliable information, certain CLIA, the Union of Cruise Ship well-known destinations to allevi-
cruise companies are planning cruises Owners and Associated Members ate congestion at popular islands
in Greece for the winter season. MSC (EEKFN), and the Greek Shipown- and offer alternative options to
Cruises has announced that, in the com- ers Association for Passenger cruise passengers. At the same
ing winter season, it will operate nine- Ships (SEEN). This committee time, significant efforts must be
night cruises to ports in Greece, Turkey, will be responsible for examining made to extend the tourist season,
and Italy during October, November, and and overseeing the measures to be a practice that the Italian company
early December of 2024. This schedule taken to improve port infrastruc- MSC has already begun.
is expected to continue in the winters of ture for the facilitation of cruise • All cruise ship ports of call must
2025 and 2026 as well. ship arrivals. cooperate with the cruise com-
The choice of Greek ports for embarka- • Improve and upgrade port infra- panies’ local representatives,
tion and disembarkation, the so-called structure and port services at CLIA, and EEKFN, to ensure the
homeporting, is also rather encouraging cruise ship ports of call, including swift resolution of any problems
for the Greek cruise market. Apart from Piraeus. encountered on a daily basis. If
the port of Piraeus, which leads in home- • Implement a reservation system there is no consultation among
porting, other Greek ports like Corfu, in all cruise ship ports of call and stakeholders, we risk cruise lines
Lavrio, Heraklion and Thessaloniki, are enforce strict adherence to the becoming dissatisfied and aban-
gradually developing in this sector. It predetermined maximum number doning certain Greek destinations.
should be noted that the passengers of cruise visitors per day. This will In conclusion, for the present and future
embarking and disembarking spend help prevent situations like that of strategic success and development of the
way much more money than passengers Santorini port, which is expected cruise sector in Greece, it is essential for
passing through, which certainly boosts to accommodate 17,000 pas- all stakeholders to work together towards
our national economy. sengers in a single day, while its the goal of sustainable development and
However, for our country to be able to capacity is 8,000. a smooth increase in the number of visi-
keep up with the extremely rapid growth • Prepare the main cruise ship ports tors to all Greek cruise destinations.

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