Kiel has reported 128 calls for 2013, by 22 different cruise lines and a total of more than 363,000 passengers embarking and disembarking, ups 4 percent from 2012.

In order to relieve the Ostseekai terminal, which is highly booked during summer weekends, ships were handled at the newly revamped Berth No. 1 in Ostuferhafen for the first time. A water depth of 10 meters was dredged along the entire 400-meter pierside, extensive fendering suitable for passenger ships was installed and a new gangway erected.

Following the refurbishment of Berth No. 1, construction work for a new cruise passenger pavilion has begun. The new terminal will be located at the front side of Warehouse 2. When this part is finished, Ostuferhafen will also offer the opportunity for passenger turnaround equal to the quality provided at Ostseekai.

According to a spokesperson, Ostuferhafen can handle ships more than 300 meters in length and up to 4,000 passengers.

The new facility will be inaugurated June 2, 2014, when the Costa Pacifica is expected at Berth No. 1.

Dirk Claus, managing director of SeeHaven Kiel, said: “The market environment is not all that easy. However, we have developed the necessary infrastructure to increase the number of cruise ship calls to 150 in the medium-term.”

For the 2014 season, Kiel has 126 registered calls by 22 different cruise ships. The most frequent caller will be the AIDAcara opening the season on April 5.  The biggest ship expected is the Costa Pacifica which will tie up 12 times. Hapag-Lloyds new Europa 2 will call on June 11. And the new Mein Schiff 3 of TUI Cruises will call on May 26. There will be 11 days when three cruise ships will berth at the same time, and during the Kiel Week, from June 21 to 29, 16 cruise calls are expected, including P&O’s Adonia.