In 2023, Hamburger Hafen experienced a record number of cruise passengers, with 1,204,089 embarking on cruises from the port, up from 785,000 in 2022. This surge in numbers solidifies Hamburg's status as a major cruise port, according to a press release issued on April 22.
A total of 51 different ships made 278 calls at the Port of Hamburg during the year, including 8 first-time visits. Additionally, 62 calls were made by riverboats, continuing the success seen in 2022, which had 280 calls.
Dr. Melanie Leonhard, Senator for Economics, emphasized the significant economic impact of the cruise sector on Hamburg. She stated that the arrival and departure of a cruise ship in the Port of Hamburg is always impressive. Last year, 1.2+ million passengers experienced that moment. Thus, the cruise industry is contributing significantly to value creation and employment around the port.
The sector now generates an annual gross value added of EUR 420 million and supports 4,490 full-time jobs, making it a vital economic driver for Hamburg.
Simone Maraschi, Managing Director of Cruise Gate Hamburg GmbH, highlighted that the industry is returning to its pre-coronavirus growth trajectory, benefiting the entire northern German region.
Looking ahead, Hamburg has plans for further growth in the cruise sector. There are preparations for 10 new first-time ship calls, including the debut of a Disney Cruise Line vessel this year. Additionally, a new cruise terminal is scheduled to be opened in HafenCity in 2025. Furthermore, efforts are underway to expand onshore power supply extensively to ensure that all cruise terminals can be supplied with shore power in the future, as outlined by Senator Leonhard.