News

Serenade of the Seas and Carnival Valor expected in port on Saturday

Friday, September 17, 2010 - Cruise ships Serenade of the Seas and Carnival Valor are tentatively scheduled to call at the Port of Sint Maarten on Saturday, September 18, Serenade a day later than was originally scheduled.

Even though Hurricane Igor was passing more than 300 miles from the island, its high seas still influenced the coastal areas of the island.


Three of the world's largest cruise ships dock at Port of Sint Maarten

September 15, 2010 - Three of the world's largest cruise ships docked at the Port of Sint Maarten on Tuesday, namely Oasis of the Seas, Carnival Dream and Norwegian Epic. Due to itinerary changes caused by the passing of Hurricane Igor, two of the vessels docked on Tuesday instead of Wednesday.

Royal Caribbean Lines and Carnival decided to re-route their ships a day earlier due to heavy sea swells that are expected on Wednesday. Together the three ships brought in over 13,000 cruise passengers and 5000 crew.

Sint Maarten Harbour Group of Companies Chief Executive Officer Mark Mingo, says cruise line and passenger safety is priority number one for the harbour and the port worked closely with the cruise lines to ensure that cruise passengers were still able to visit the island and enjoy the various amenities that the destination offers.



Serenade of the Seas Docks on Friday

Friday, September 3, 2010 - The Serenade of the Seas was the first cruise ship in port since the passing of Hurricane Earl on Monday. Port officials worked diligently to have the port ready for cruise vessels.

Merchants were elated to see the first cruise vessel back in port after a number of vessels canceled due to the approaching hurricane.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Sint Maarten Harbour Group of Companies Mark Mingo, said it was back to business once divers gave the green light that their were no underwater obstructions to the approaches of the two cruise piers.

Divers also checked the swim area near the Captain Hodge Wharf to the Pasanggrahan Royal Guest House and the green light was given that the areas were clear and open also for recreational activities.

This is all part of the cruise experience that the island has to offer.

The harbour worked closely with Nature Foundation divers who Mingo said did an exceptional job.

Large Container Ship CMA/CGM Herodote in Port

Friday, September 3, 2010 - CMA/CGM Herodote container ship came into the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facility on Friday bringing in food produce and other supplies for local businesses.

Tropical Shipping's vessel will be in port on September 5.

Cargo Port Open: Catering to Inter-island and Ro Ro Vessels

Friday, September 3, 2010 - A number of vessels were in port yesterday, namely Dutch military vessel HMS Pelikaan and inter-island cargo vessels, Lady Suzan and the Elita 2.

Roll-On Roll-Off Container vessels Sirena and Cap Canaille also came into port a indication that all cargo port operations are back to normal after the passing of Hurricane Earl on Monday.

Harbour personnel are still busy with some minor adjustments here and there with respect to logistical requirements.

For vessel inbound and outbound schedules please look further on this site.

Port Open for Cruise Ships on Friday

September 1, 2010 - The port facilities are intact after the passing of Hurricane Earl earlier in the week. No major structural damaged has been done to the Dr. A. C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo facility. The first cruise ship is tentatively set to call on Friday, September 3. Cruise lines and ship agents have been kept informed of clean-up efforts and the necessary inspections to ensure that the approaches to the two cruise piers were safe.

First Cargo Vessel to Dock on Thursday

September 1, 2010 - The first cargo vessel is tentatively set to dock on Thursday morning, September 2. Divers carried out assessments on Wednesday of the sea bottom and the all clear sign has been given.

Simpson Bay Lagoon

September 1, 2010 - An assessment is being made of the Simpson Bay Lagoon which is overseen by the Sint Maarten Harbour Group of Companies. The majority of vessels that took shelter in the Lagoon made it through unscathed.


Port of Sint Maarten Welcomes NCL Epic

The NCL Epic was welcomed on Tuesday, July 13 by Deputy Leader of Government and Commissioner responsible for Harbour Affairs Theo Heyliger and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Sint Maarten Harbour Group of Companies (SHGC) Mark Mingo.

Commissioner Heyliger was very pleased to have the vessel in port as the world continues to recover from the global economic recession. Additional cruise ship calls in 2010 which also includes the Epic, will push total figures for 2010 over 1.4 million when compared to over 1.2 million in 2009.

Mingo says the island has gone through a number of challenges with respect to the global economic crisis, however, with Epic visiting the island during the traditional slow season, cruise figures will surpass previous seasons climbing from 40,000 to 70,000 passengers.

CEO Mingo said that NCL is a partner in cruise development on the island and NCL has always been a good partner, and the addition of the Epic during this time of the season only re-enforces that long standing partnership.





POINTE BLANCHE, ST.MAARTEN - Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Mingo says marketing efforts need to be stepped up in the German market as it is the fastest growing segment in cruise passengers in Europe and will become the biggest market in Europe.

This is one of the main trends in cruise tourism that he learnt from attending Seatrade Europe, the leading meeting place for the Cruise, Ferry, Rivercruise and Superyacht industries, held from September 15-17 at the Hamburg Messe Fairground in Germany.

The European cruise market overall grew by 10 per cent in 2008, with 4.3 million taking a cruise. Germans represent the second largest group that takes a cruise, with the United Kingdom being the first. However, Germans spend two times more than their British counterparts.

Ninety per cent of Germans book via travel agents and make their reservations six months in advance.

"Germany plays a significant role in the global cruise market sector stretching from participation in new ships being constructed, vessel repairs, ownership and management to name a few.

"Germany is the second largest source market for cruise passengers in Europe with an estimated 907,000 residents having purchased a cruise in 2008. We need to spend more money in the German market especially where stay-over visitors are concerned," Mark Mingo pointed out.

One of the leading German owners of ocean tonnage includes AIDA Cruises. The number one German brand is AIDA Cruises which claimed almost 40 per cent of the German domestic market in 2008.

AIDA will be making 10 calls to the Port of St. Maarten for the 2009/10 cruise season. TUI Cruises, a joint venture between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., entered the market in May, and will also be making calls to St. Maarten.

Mingo was accompanied by Supervisory Board Chairman Michel Soons and Cruise Manager Nzinga Lake who also attended Seatrade Europe.


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