Port of Kiel is expanding the busy Ostseekai cruise terminal in order to cope with passenger totals tipped to increase to more than 600,000 in 2018.
Construction begins in August on a 2nd passenger and baggage handling centre at terminal’s Berth 28, attached to the existing centre. Ostseekai Terminal is one of 4 cruise ship handling facilities in this German Baltic seaport.
The new facility costs some EUR 7.5 million and means that operational processes can be separated. Previously, 2 ships were handled by only one facility, while each individual vessel will in future have its own.
The construction is due to open next spring in time for 2019 cruise shipping season, which is believed to become yet another record breaking one. The new facility will be a 3,700 m2, 2-storey integrated northern extension of Kiel's existing terminal building, featuring connections on both levels.
The two buildings will form a V-shaped reception area and from here passengers can enter the terminal, while visitors use the outside flight of stairs to a large viewing terrace.
While baggage handling is due to take place on the ground floor, the upper one is for passenger and check-in procedures. From here, passengers will be conducted directly across the existing gangways onto the ship.
Port of Kiel has 3 cruise ship terminals with 4 berths close to the city centre and another one in Ostuferhafen. In 2018, it expects 165 visits by 32 different cruise ships and over 600,000 passengers, which is a record for the port.