The arrival of cruise ship AIDAcara has marked the beginning of a new cruise season at the Swedish Port of Gothenburg.
The 193-meter-long vessel berthed at the Frihamnen cruise terminal in the morning hours of April 14, the vessel’s AIS data shows.
A total of 44 cruise ships, carrying 60,000 passengers, are scheduled to visit Gothenburg this year, compared with 34 last year, the port said.
According to the port, one of the high points of the season will be the visit by the 325.7-meter-long Norwegian Getaway. With 4,000 guests, it will be in passenger terms the largest cruise ship ever to visit the Port of Gothenburg.
Other ships visiting the port include the new Mein Schiff 6, which is currently being built at Finnish Meyer Turku Shipyard and is due to be launched in May.
The cruise season will end on October 9 and after that, there will be two calls in December.
2017 will be the final year for cruise ships at Frihamnen because the area will form part of a major urban development scheme with the construction of homes and offices, forcing the present cruise terminal to find a new location.
The new central cruise terminal, America Cruise Terminal, will be located at Stigbergskajen in Masthugget. The quay and part of the terminal building, Amerikaskjulet, are currently being restored and will be ready to welcome ships from spring 2018.
The maximum length for vessels calling at America Cruise Terminal will be 225 meters – 25 meters longer than the current maximum length at Frihamnen.
Amerikaskjulet was constructed in 1912 and operated as a passenger terminal until 1975.
Source: http://worldmaritimenews.com