Port Roenne (Bornholm Island, Denmark) gained new customers since extensions were made to its infrastructure in 2019 allowing for larger cruise ships to call.
In the past, companies like AIDA and HAL-Holland America were bringing vessels with max LOA length 240 m / 787 ft, but now they are bringing larger boats. The expanded port now attracts new brands with large-sized liners like Celebrity, RCI-Royal Caribbean, TUI, Cunard, Princess, P&O UK, and NCL-Norwegian.
2022 was a record year with a total of 65 calls carrying 3500 passengers. MSC Preciosa is the largest ship to call to date, being 333 m in length.
A further 14 calls were made to other Bornholm Island ports, mostly by smaller-sized expedition ships.
This year, ~50 ship calls are expected to the Port (60+ in total to Bornholm).
In terms of sustainability, the port established a partnership (Bornholm Bunker Hub) with Bunker Holding, Bureau Veritas, Molslinjen, Orsted, Topsoe, Ramboll, and Wartsila, with the vision of establishing Port Roenne as a hub for green fuels for shipping by 2025.
The plan is for fuels like biofuels, methanol, and ammonia, to be made available on request. Depending on the type/quantity these can be imported/produced locally.
Yana Grundke, chief business officer for cruise Port of Roenne, said the primary production of green electricity in 2030 would come from offshore wind, but "local renewable production like solar, onshore wind and biomass" would also be contributors.
“By 2030 Bornholm will be one of two Danish energy islands with significant amounts of green electricity, which amongst others, can be used for production of the green fuels offered by Bornholm Bunker Hub. The green power can also be part of onshore power supply in the port.”
To date, Port Roenne has not received direct requests from cruise shipping companies but Grundke said that dialogue was taking place to see if the port was able to accommodate customer needs.