Upon completion, Istanbul's only main port, Galataport, will serve 1.5 million passengers annually, including crew members. By participating in Seatrade Cruise Global 2019 with a booth, it has redirected the routes of the world's most important cruise companies to Istanbul. Galataport participated in Seatrade Cruise Global 2019, which featured 643 participants from 113 countries. At the fair, it introduced Istanbul and the Galataport Istanbul Cruise Port, which will open in March 2020, to global giants.
The world's most famous cruise fair, Seatrade Cruise Global 2019, took place in Miami, USA, between April 8-11. At the Seatrade fair, which featured 643 participants from 113 countries and 11,000 suppliers and buyers, the Galataport Istanbul Cruise Port, scheduled to open in March 2020, made its debut with a booth. Representing Istanbul, an important destination as a starting point, at the fair, Galataport succeeded in getting the world's most important cruise companies to turn their routes to Istanbul for the 2020-2021 season.
Galataport attracted significant interest as Istanbul's only main port.
At the exhibition held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, the technical details of the Galataport Istanbul Cruise Port were presented, along with the Galataport project, which aims to become a new destination extending from Istanbul and its historic peninsula. At the exhibition, which drew significant interest to Istanbul, information about Galataport was shared. Erdem Tavas, General Manager of Galataport Istanbul Port Operations and Investments Inc., He emphasized that with the completion of the project, which is progressing rapidly, Istanbul, historically known as one of the world's most important port cities, will regain this identity. Erdem Tavas provided the following information about the project:
“Galataport is a port that stands out significantly from similar investments in this sector, both because it is Istanbul's historic port and due to its location. The new terminal we plan to open in March 2020 is being designed underground with a project that will be implemented for the first time in the world. According to this plan, the customs area will be separated from the rest of the site by a 3-meter-high special cover system, a first in the world. With this plan, designed to meet the needs of all types of cruise ships, we will make a significant contribution to Istanbul's cruise tourism potential. Our new terminal is being designed with superior technology and high standards on an area of 20,000 square meters. With this design, this unique coastal strip, which has been inaccessible for approximately 200 years, will also be opened for use by Istanbul residents and visitors to the city.’
Ship reservations have exceeded 50
With the launch of Galataport, it is said that a new era will begin for Istanbul in cruise tourism. Galataport Istanbul Port Operations and Investments Inc. Deputy General Manager of Port Operations Figen Ayan, Emphasizing that they have started taking reservations for 2020–2021, he said:
“As of 2020, we have received over 50 confirmed cruise ship reservations. The fact that the vast majority of these reservations are for homeport calls indicates that cruise lines have chosen Galataport as their homeport. This development is of great importance for the tourism of our country and Istanbul. The shipping companies that have made reservations include the world's two largest shipping companies, Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Cruises, as well as Holland America Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Celestyal Cruises, Le Ponant, Silversea Cruises, Fred Olsen Cruises, Marella Cruises, and Wind Star Cruises.”
Three large ships can dock at the same time, accommodating 15,000 passengers per day.
Figen Ayan also emphasized that 43 out of 55 ships sailing in the Mediterranean basin three years ago preferred Istanbul, stating, ’The Istanbul destination, which can cater to every budget and customer, will once again become a popular route for cruise tourism starting in 2020.” he said. Ayan noted that once Galataport Istanbul Cruise Port is completed, three large ships will be able to dock at the port simultaneously and accommodate an average of 15,000 cruise passengers per day.“Once Galataport Istanbul Cruise Port is completed, we aim to serve 1.5 million passengers, including crew members, within the year.”he said.
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