Black Sea ports signed an action plan to revive cruise shipping for the next 3 years
During the 52nd General Assembly of the Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports (MedCruise), which took place in Valletta, Malta on May 23–26, 2018, the Black Sea ports signed an action plan of the revival of cruise shipping for the next 3 years. The delegation of the State Enterprise «Ukrainain Sea Ports Authority» included the deputy chief of the Odessa port for operating activities Ruslan Sakhautdinov, the head of the cruise infrastructure service Oleg Fetisenko and the specialist of the department of strategic planning and development Mariia Luzhanska.
USPA says this action plan was supported by the president of the MedCruise Ayran Pastor, and also by the head of the Black Sea region, Theodor Patrici. This plan considers the joint application of Black Sea ports to cruise lines with the aim of reporting about safety in the Black Sea region and readiness to receive passenger ships, working meetings and Black Sea conference in 2019, including the Black Sea region in the marketing plan of MedCruise for the next year etc.. Despite the absence of cruise ships, the modernization of Odessa Passenger Terminal was carried out: internal premises were repaired, the kinetic facade was equipped.
— Development of passenger and cruise traffic is among our priorities. SE «USPA» reconstructs passenger terminals and marine stations in order to provide safe conditions and high-level service for passengers. Active marketing position of Ukrainian ports is necessary to attract cruise ships. We believe that the return of cruise shipping to Odessa seaport will take place in the near future. Foreign tourists are interested in the Ukrainian tourist product, as evidenced by the increase of the number of river cruise ship calls to Ukrainian ports (Odessa, Ust-Dunaisk, Izmail) – commented by the Head of SE “Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority” Raivis Veckagans
During the General Assembly, the delegation of the State Enterprise «USPA» held meetings with top managers of cruise companies (Royal Caribbean Cruises, Carnival Corporation, AIDA Cruises, etc.) and presented a positive dynamics of the tourist flow in Odessa. The next 53rd General Assembly MedCruise will be held in Burgas (Bulgaria), which will positively affect the image of the Black Sea region.
MedCruise is the largest association in the world, which unites cruise ports of the Mediterranean Sea and other, as well as cruise companies. There are many different new members of MedCruise every year Every year.
