Seatrade Europe comes to a close in Hamburg – setting the course for a successful future for the cruise industry in Europe

The 2015 edition of Seatrade Europe came to a close last week, and showed rising passenger numbers, higher sales and full order books. This confirms that the European cruise market is growing fast, and the trend is set to continue. ‘The industry is still powering ahead for growth. That was clearly evident at Seatrade Europe. And the substantial increase in exhibition visitors and conference delegates reflects the growing interest in the cruise sector’ said Bernd Aufderheide, president and ceo, Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH.
   
The event, which took place at Hamburg Messe last week from 9 to 11 September, was attended by almost 5,000 participants from all over the world (an increase on figures from the previous event in 2013). Over 250 exhibitors from 50 nations presented their products, services and innovations to a broad expert audience, with all the relevant sectors of the cruise industry being represented, including ship builders, equipment manufacturers, interior equipment & fittings suppliers, entertainment specialists, classification companies and cruise destinations.
   
‘The 2015 edition of Seatrade Europe has shown once again the crucial role Europe plays in the cruise industry, as source market, destination, and as the builder and supplier of its fleet. Both in the conference sessions and on the floor of the exhibition, I have been really impressed by the mood of optimism for the future. Hamburg is a key centre for cruising in the region and a great venue for an event of this kind’ said Chris Hayman, chairman of Seatrade (UBM EMEA).
   
There was also a great deal of praise for the high quality conference programme, where the most pressing subjects were discussed by the major decision makers in the industry. ‘This is undoubtedly the most important event for the industry in the whole of Europe. This is where you can meet all the key stakeholders and policy makers’ said Michael Thamm, ceo of Costa Group. The same view was shared by Gianni Onorato, ceo of MSC Cruises SA, who highlighted the compact layout of the event ‘That gives a unique opportunity to meet a great many colleagues face to face, within a very short time. That gets us closer together, so we can develop ideas with one another.’
   
In addition to the exhibition and conference there was a Supplier’s Workshop where more than 90 equipment supply companies had the opportunity to meet with senior buyers from Meyer Werft, Neptun Werft and Meyer Turku. ‘The concept is brilliant. We can make specific plans, answer questions, and develop ideas’ said Ralf Sempf, senior buyer at Meyer Werft.
   
Another highlight of the event was the presentation of the 2015 Seatrade Cruise Awards. Michael Ungerer, chief operations officer Shared Services Carnival Asia and president of CLIA Germany was honoured as ‘Seatrade Cruise Personality of the Year’ for his services to the German cruise market and environment innovation. Other prize winners were:
  

• Seatrade Lifetime Achievement Award for Services to Cruising: Jochen Deerberg, the founder of DEERBERG-SYSTEMS
• Seatrade Outstanding Achievement Award (Recognising an outstanding contribution to the growth of the European cruise industry): Iain Dunderdale, cruise development manager, Cruise Highlands
• Destination of the Year: Liverpool
• Port of the Year: Passenger Terminal Amsterdam
• Environmental Initiative of the Year: AIDA Cruises and Becker Marine Systems (joint winners)
• Supplier of the Year: The Image Group
• Innovative Shorex of the Year: Aloschi Bros, “Pope’s Summer Residence & Vatican”   

  
The next Seatrade Europe will be held at Hamburg Messe from 6 to 8 September 2017.