September 24, 2025 • 28 mins
How can ports and cities work hand-in-hand to build a more sustainable future for cruising?
In this episode we sit down with Laura Cimaglia, VP of MedCruise and DG & International Affairs at the Port of Taranto. Laura shares the story behind MedCruise’s groundbreaking collaboration with AIVP, the International Association of Port Cities, and the creation of the Cruise Port City Compass – a first-of-its-kind framework guiding sustainable growth at the port–city interface.
From managing tourism and strengthening community engagement, to improving passenger experiences and strategic infrastructure investments, Laura discusses how diversity of perspectives is driving meaningful change across the Mediterranean and beyond. She also offers a glimpse into the next phase of MedCruise’s Cruise Community Engagement working group, including how ports, cities, cruise lines, and technology providers are coming together to shape greener, smarter, and more inclusive destinations.
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Episode Transcript
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>> Holly Payne (00:00):
Foreign.
(00:04):
And welcome to another Seatrade Trade Cruise Talks
podcast. I'm joined today by Laura Kmmeglia, who
is the vice president of MedCruise, also
responsible for cruise community engagement at
MedCruise, as well as Port of Taranto's Director
of General and International Affairs. So welcome,
(00:26):
Laura.
Welcome to you, Holly. And it's a very shiny day
here in Taranto and thanks for having me.
Oh, well, thank you. Now I'm very interested.
Laura, you've got a lot of responsibilities in
your role, not just at MedCruise but of course
looking at cruise community engagement as a whole
(00:47):
as well as your responsibilities at Taranto. But
what I'd really like to hone in on today is the
AIVP working group because I know you're working
on some new targets with them.
So first of all, for our listeners who aren't
familiar with the aivp, perhaps you could explain
(01:10):
a little bit what they are about and also what
inspired the collaboration between MedCruise and
AIVP to create the cruise Port City Compass that
you've got.
I have to say I am very, very, very proud about
this collaboration. And AIVP is the international
(01:33):
association of Port City and they've been working
on our worldwide network for over 30 years now.
Their aim is basically to put together port
players and city players in order to find a way to
work together and collaborate. Our associations
(01:56):
though had and still have different aims. And the
idea came to me in 2020, 2021. It was during COVID
and I do remember that because it was the time
where it was starting to, we were starting in our
community, in our network to talk about tourists
(02:16):
and over tourism, about the pressure that
sometimes communities were feeling about cruises.
It was Macros who reached out to AIVP during COVID
At the beginning it was not easy. As I said, we
were and we still are very different with very
different aims. But our talking into each other
(02:40):
made us realise how important it would be to have
a different perspective, a different point of
view. And we started to use our differences to
work into a common position and support a
sustainable cruise growth and port city relations
at that time. Then we started the first working
(03:00):
group. The name was and still is Cruises and Port
Cities. We are currently composed about 28 members
from 12 different counties. And our partnership
and commitment, it is proved by the love and
passion that all the members are putting into this
working group. I also have to say that I'm proud
(03:22):
because it is the first Anomaly for the moment.
Working group in Netflix who has an external
partner, another association. We usually have
internal working groups which are great, but this
time we reached out and I think it worked. So the
aim of the partnership was, as I was saying, to
(03:44):
gain a different point of view, a different
perspective. And we decided that we wanted to put
this into works and that's how it came the idea,
ah, of on working on a Kuzbark city campus.
Well, that's very interesting to hear, Laura, how,
from various differences, among the members, that
(04:06):
you're able to combine your insights and expertise
to form this relationship. So thank you for
shedding some light on how the partnership
developed. What would you consider the main
strength of the working group?
It is a working group that gather together a mix
of members, not only ports, but. And this is what
(04:29):
really interested us on Metwin side because we are
ports and port communities in the association. But
on the other side of the. It's also cities around
the world. And it is a very interesting approach.
the one they have because is not only based on the
(04:50):
Mediterranean, like the association that I
represent, but it's worldwide and it's a very
important thing. And also it might sound like a,
logo or slogan, but our diversity is really the
most powerful strength we have. We bring together
people from shore to cities and we learn from
(05:12):
their project, direct experience and port city
development strategies. And we listen to all the
goals achieved from the members of the group,
which, as I say, we are now 28. But every time we
gather together online or during our webinars,
(05:32):
during first phase, we were always a group of
people between 20 and 25 people people. So the
collaboration was great and we had a lot of work
to do. But this is, I think, what helped us most.
Shores and cities together. Talking about their
(05:55):
perspective, their issues. Because sometimes there
are issues. But one thing I realised, and that was
actually the first time I talked to the members
and representative of the ivp, is that
communication is the key. They didn't know us,
they didn't know about the work that Met was
(06:17):
doing, they just probably thought that we were
trying to promote our ports in the cruise market,
regardless of what was happening on the shore and
on the communities. And then when they learned how
passionate we were, but, also taking care of the
community, sp. Communities and cities communities,
(06:38):
that's when we really clicked.
Well, that's very inspiring. It's very promising
to hear about the dedication on both sides of
tackling some of the issues that you've mentioned
around over tourism and really seeing this
relationship go from strength to strength.
So the cruise port city compass itself, it focuses
(07:03):
on environmental protection, port city interface,
governance, economic impact. But which of these
areas do you believe presents the greatest
opportunity for improvement across Mediterranean
cruise destinations?
Well, it was a great effort and let me also thank
(07:25):
my collaborator, still working with me, but she
took care of the cruise compass while I was, for
professional reasons out for a period of the
association. And then it was a beautiful
coincidence when I started working with the
association again I found myself in the same field
(07:46):
I left three years before, which was really
exciting for me. It was a very great, it was a
very big effort because it put together 60 teams,
members from both associations and it also spanned
not only in ports and cities, but we wanted to
hear the voices of academia. Also we wanted to
(08:09):
have some complementary perspective from
associations like TIA and aspo. we interviewed
Professor Thomas Paulus from the Araeus University
and we also had three port authorities and
municipal governments to talk and give us their
experience, such as Guarivier in Canada, Maxel in
(08:33):
France and Dubrovnik in Croatia. And the last part
I want to add, we wanted to talk also about
technical and infrastructure providers. So we
interviewed WebTac and Global. Awesome language.
As you know, it's the global terminal operator for
cruise ships. It is a first phase. We want to
(08:56):
consider this as the first output and now we want
to go further. But if I have to go back to the
compass, I think that the three main points can
be, let's say, underlined. First one, if we talk
about port is CT interface, we need to still work
a little bit more on the integration between
(09:16):
cruise terminals and yoga areas. And that is
because I think we need to improve the passenger
experience as well as the local community
engagement. And now that I'm talking, it comes to
my mind that one of the greatest example that we
had, huge project that was led by our former
(09:38):
president Figue Nayan. It was the Istanbul
terminal, the Gata Port, that was a huge effort.
And I think examples like this may help other
ports to develop a very good relationship between
port and city. Also if we talk about governance, I
(09:58):
think we need to foster the collaboration more
between the local and city planner and port
authorities and port planners and put together
also the stakeholders into the planning procedure.
This is also something that we can do in order to
standardise the procedures and features of the
(10:21):
infrastructures around the Mediterranean. And then
in the last point, and I think it is still
important if we Talk about the economic impacts
and benefits for local communities. I think that
we still need to look into the workforce training
and employment opportunities because it is not
(10:43):
only a matter of, port taxes, but it is a matter
also of cultural change. And I can give you the
example of my home city, which comes from an
industrial cost. But when the cruises started to
touch the port of Taranto, something changed and
something clicked into the community. So we now
(11:04):
have schools that are training children for
professions that are dedicated to the cruise
sector. And I think this is something that we were
not expecting. It was a surprise and it is so
important that we want to foster this more.
Absolutely.
Can you elaborate on how the document serves as a
(11:27):
compass for sustainable growth and development of
cruise ports and their communities?
Yes. while m discussing in the working group, what
came out, is that of course even in this situation
we cannot have one solution that fits all this is
tier ports and city ports are different all over,
(11:51):
throughout the Mediterranean. So what we really
wanted to do was for this first phase of
networking to create a document that could serve
as, we call it compass, but it's really a
guideline. So, we thought of giving examples,
sharing good practises so that people could
(12:12):
relate. It's not that we are not going around
talking about the compass and you should do this
or you should do that. We are, emphasising what
other people, what other ports, other cities have
done so that people can be inspired. Nothing more,
nothing less. And I think, as an IP put of the
(12:35):
first phase, it's really good. but we are still
working on the second phase which will be, I can
say, maybe even more exciting because this is the
time where, when we are thinking about giving
people some tools.
Well, that's great. Very good to hear that.
And how is MedCruise helping member ports
(12:58):
implement the sustainable, sustainable practises
highlighted in the publication?
Let me tell you that it's not just my working
group, that is working onto sustainable practise
because Metclus, has been involved in
sustainability for many years so far. One of the
(13:20):
first working group that was created was the one
about environmental impact of cruises, which is
led by my very good friend Baranya Manjarovi and
they have done an incredible and amazing job. One
of the last outputs that working group created is
a map, that is shown on Macro's website where you
(13:43):
can see all the ongoing project about alternative
fuels. If you go there, you can see, see who in
the Mediterranean clearly amongst the members of
the association as ah already OPS or is providing
OPS or different and alternative fuels, hydrogen
(14:06):
and so on. And I think this is something that
people need to see. For example, I mean I used
this map the other day when I was doing a meeting
because we really wanted to understand who was
providing this kind of services in the
Mediterranean and if a part wants to invest on an
(14:27):
alternative fuel, I think it's a good point of
view. It's a good point, starting point actually
to see who else is providing the same service. And
this is on the environmental point of view, on the
social impact point of view. As we say in Italy,
(14:47):
we are changing our shirt. Our working group was
named Cruise and City Relationship and now it is
called Cruise Community Engagement. And the name
only, even if you read, makes you understand that
the focus of is on the engagement. The focus is on
(15:10):
people. We hear worldwide a lot of problems, that
many communities, many cities, not only port
cities, are struggling with the impact of tourism
and really want to address this issue. So these
are the main points that the association is taking
(15:31):
care of right now.
That's great to hear Laura. Ah, and very
promising. So looking forward to seeing how the
relationship develops and continues to evolve and
do more really good things now. The publication
showcases Barcelona, Marseille and Dubrovnik as
(15:51):
representing different stages of cruise sector
development. But what lessons can other ports
learn from these case studies?
Overall the case studies emphasise the importance
of strategic infrastructure investment,
sustainability, community engagement,
accessibility and balancing economic benefits with
(16:15):
social and also environmental responsibility for
long term success increase for city development.
This is not an easy recipe. Let's say the
interviews with the cities of Marseilles and
Dubrovnik showcased the different stages of
development in the cruise sector that the two port
(16:37):
cities have. And in the case of Marcel, for
instance, we appreciate the contrasting
perspective in which the right balance between the
sector and the local aspiration expressed by the
political leaders is not yet cheat. Still right
now, these days Marcel is discussing about their
(17:00):
future in the cruise market. And in the spirit of
the publication, to build new dialogues, all the
voices must be heard as a first step towards a
balanced relationship. So we didn't want to cut it
out just because it wasn't totally happening in
the case of the Barrack native. Instead we can see
even more mature situation in which the problem of
(17:24):
our tourism was addressed through dialogue. Smart
City Solution was something that we picked for the
second phase and agreements with stakeholders like
the cruise lines. And these contributions are a
key to understand the highs and lows of the world
of cruise cruising through the hours also of local
(17:48):
governments was, let me tell you what difficulty
most of the time we find in our port cities. Local
government are not experts on the subject on
cruising on port operations, on what the cruise
ship wants when it calls a port. So the
relationship between local government and port
(18:11):
authorities, it's really essential. Everyone has
to do their job but if we don't cooperate nothing
can be achieved. This is something that I think I
have learned and we need to tell people that they
cannot, you know, they cannot stay in their
offices in the port, but they have to go out and
(18:33):
seek the local authorities and teachers teach them
if needed, what they need to know in order to make
better policies for the local communities.
Well that's great advice Laura, so very good to
hear your input, your insights into this.
(18:53):
What about the technical side? I mean you've
spoken a little bit about the shore power and some
other areas connected with this but, but I'm
interested to know what role do you see for
technical and infrastructural providers in
advancing the sustainable cruise port city
(19:14):
relationship outlined in your publication?
Well Holly, while writing the conference we
collected a lot of inputs about port transitions
towards a cleaner, smarter and more sustainable
cruise tourism. And I think that the providers
(19:35):
play a crucial role in advancing the sustainable
cruise port city relationship which was firstly
outlined in the publication. But their role is
pivotal for the developing and implementing the
advanced technologies such the one we're
mentioning, OPM system for instance that will
allow cruise ships to react to renewable
(19:57):
electricity grids significantly reducing
emissions. This is something that even if it was
the first maybe struggle it is still part of the
main point that cities are worried about. So I
think that the technical providers can serve for
designing and constructing modern energy
(20:18):
efficiently is there, you know and I think that
the infrastructure should think about how to
accommodate larger ships with an increased volume
of passengers of course but minimising their
environmental impact. And again let me think about
(20:39):
the Deltaport case for instance. They built a
whole neighbourhood out of an abandoned quay
inside the old town of Instanbul and it's now
thriving people that there is also a shopping,
small restaurant and when the ship is there it's a
(21:02):
huge security wall coming up allowing people to
work in a secure way and respecting of course
course also all the laws about ISPS code and
everything. So that's, that's a very good example.
That's great. Thank you for that example Laura.
(21:22):
Now we are at Seatrade Trade Cruise. We are very
eager to know more about the second phase of the
working group and your new task. So what is the
task cruise community engagement actually about?
So Holly, the name says everything. In this case
(21:43):
it's not just about showing something different
but about giving something different to the
members. We are now focusing on cruise community
engagement. And I have to say that the idea is now
to still continue to gather information from the
members but also to give them back how to do so.
(22:05):
Well the idea came because my ears were burning
when I heard an msc for instance, ah, a new
position on cruise community engagement. I thought
so this is the way, I mean it's not just us
focusing on local communities. Finally on certain
(22:25):
cruises that the cruise ships and cruise companies
see that this is where they have to go, this is
what they have to foster. And so we decided to
involve the manager that MSC has chosen who is
John, Olaf Steady. And he became our first Rocket
(22:47):
Angel. We decided to have his angels, people from
outside the association to help our members, to
give them insights on how they can work together.
For instance in this case for the first webinar
that we had together with the cruise lines. And
then I, let me tell you, it was really interesting
(23:09):
to learn how to go wrong so many times being a
port promoter sometimes you just don't know who to
talk to, how to reach the cruise line. And Jonolaf
was very good in that. And also it was funny
because during the first webinar someone came out
(23:32):
saying hey can I call you later because I have a
problem. And he said of course, this is my number,
call me anytime. So this was a great success for,
for, for us and we want to go on like this. We are
planning to have another session, another online
session. I can't spoil you who our angel will be.
(23:56):
but it will be very interesting because it's it's
going to be focused on how to manage the flows
coming down from the cruise ships.
Wow, that's very exciting. So we'll have to keep
our ah, eyes peeled for this information.
What so regarding the working group, you've spoken
(24:17):
about this, how it's changed everything that
you're doing at the moment to really develop this
concept. So the format of this second phase, it is
quite different than to previous. And have you
introduced any other innovation for development of
(24:38):
some of the activities?
Yes, it is totally different. As I said we will
still have our online meetings, but we are
thinking also of showcasing the working group
live. So in October we are going to have our
second online session and the host, as I was
(25:00):
telling you, is a very, is an expert on flow
management. I can just start with companies called
Systematica and we're going to focus on flow
management and then we're going to have a third
session in Port City. we're going to go live and
(25:22):
at that time I think it's going to be a mix of
these two phases. So members that will join can
probably showcase. It's still an ongoing thing, so
they will probably showcase and tell their
experiences. but also our angels and our experts
(25:44):
will mix with the members. And I don't want to use
the word teach because it's not a teaching
session. It's a learning session though. So from
different perspective, different experience,
different professions also people will learn. And
what we expect to come out this experience is that
(26:08):
probably. Well this is what we aim. Of course we
will see what happens. But everyone can bring home
something more on how to manage the cruise ships
in their ports. No matter if the port is a small
port regarding the cruise business or if it is a
(26:29):
large port with issues, we really hope that our
encounter of these professionals will help all of
them.
Well that's great and it's lovely to hear you
discuss this Laura, talk about these plans and
really developing the industry, pushing the
(26:50):
sustainability and you know, it's very inspiring
and very encouraging. So thank you for all of your
advice, your insights that you've shared with us
and I'm really looking forward to hearing where
this goes, this work with the AIVP and your point
City Compass, how it's growing and developing. And
(27:12):
we're going to be keeping a close eye on this and
sharing news as we learn more and more about it.
Thank you Holly. It was a pleasure to be here and
I can't wait to see you in Hamburg and discuss
more about this. Thank you to Sita too.
Thank you Laura.
Thank you very much.
Foreign.
(00:04):
And welcome to another Seatrade Trade Cruise Talks
podcast. I'm joined today by Laura Kmmeglia, who
is the vice president of MedCruise, also
responsible for cruise community engagement at
MedCruise, as well as Port of Taranto's Director
of General and International Affairs. So welcome,
(00:26):
Laura.
Welcome to you, Holly. And it's a very shiny day
here in Taranto and thanks for having me.
Oh, well, thank you. Now I'm very interested.
Laura, you've got a lot of responsibilities in
your role, not just at MedCruise but of course
looking at cruise community engagement as a whole
(00:47):
as well as your responsibilities at Taranto. But
what I'd really like to hone in on today is the
AIVP working group because I know you're working
on some new targets with them.
So first of all, for our listeners who aren't
familiar with the aivp, perhaps you could explain
(01:10):
a little bit what they are about and also what
inspired the collaboration between MedCruise and
AIVP to create the cruise Port City Compass that
you've got.
I have to say I am very, very, very proud about
this collaboration. And AIVP is the international
(01:33):
association of Port City and they've been working
on our worldwide network for over 30 years now.
Their aim is basically to put together port
players and city players in order to find a way to
work together and collaborate. Our associations
(01:56):
though had and still have different aims. And the
idea came to me in 2020, 2021. It was during COVID
and I do remember that because it was the time
where it was starting to, we were starting in our
community, in our network to talk about tourists
(02:16):
and over tourism, about the pressure that
sometimes communities were feeling about cruises.
It was Macros who reached out to AIVP during COVID
At the beginning it was not easy. As I said, we
were and we still are very different with very
different aims. But our talking into each other
(02:40):
made us realise how important it would be to have
a different perspective, a different point of
view. And we started to use our differences to
work into a common position and support a
sustainable cruise growth and port city relations
at that time. Then we started the first working
(03:00):
group. The name was and still is Cruises and Port
Cities. We are currently composed about 28 members
from 12 different counties. And our partnership
and commitment, it is proved by the love and
passion that all the members are putting into this
working group. I also have to say that I'm proud
(03:22):
because it is the first Anomaly for the moment.
Working group in Netflix who has an external
partner, another association. We usually have
internal working groups which are great, but this
time we reached out and I think it worked. So the
aim of the partnership was, as I was saying, to
(03:44):
gain a different point of view, a different
perspective. And we decided that we wanted to put
this into works and that's how it came the idea,
ah, of on working on a Kuzbark city campus.
Well, that's very interesting to hear, Laura, how,
from various differences, among the members, that
(04:06):
you're able to combine your insights and expertise
to form this relationship. So thank you for
shedding some light on how the partnership
developed. What would you consider the main
strength of the working group?
It is a working group that gather together a mix
of members, not only ports, but. And this is what
(04:29):
really interested us on Metwin side because we are
ports and port communities in the association. But
on the other side of the. It's also cities around
the world. And it is a very interesting approach.
the one they have because is not only based on the
(04:50):
Mediterranean, like the association that I
represent, but it's worldwide and it's a very
important thing. And also it might sound like a,
logo or slogan, but our diversity is really the
most powerful strength we have. We bring together
people from shore to cities and we learn from
(05:12):
their project, direct experience and port city
development strategies. And we listen to all the
goals achieved from the members of the group,
which, as I say, we are now 28. But every time we
gather together online or during our webinars,
(05:32):
during first phase, we were always a group of
people between 20 and 25 people people. So the
collaboration was great and we had a lot of work
to do. But this is, I think, what helped us most.
Shores and cities together. Talking about their
(05:55):
perspective, their issues. Because sometimes there
are issues. But one thing I realised, and that was
actually the first time I talked to the members
and representative of the ivp, is that
communication is the key. They didn't know us,
they didn't know about the work that Met was
(06:17):
doing, they just probably thought that we were
trying to promote our ports in the cruise market,
regardless of what was happening on the shore and
on the communities. And then when they learned how
passionate we were, but, also taking care of the
community, sp. Communities and cities communities,
(06:38):
that's when we really clicked.
Well, that's very inspiring. It's very promising
to hear about the dedication on both sides of
tackling some of the issues that you've mentioned
around over tourism and really seeing this
relationship go from strength to strength.
So the cruise port city compass itself, it focuses
(07:03):
on environmental protection, port city interface,
governance, economic impact. But which of these
areas do you believe presents the greatest
opportunity for improvement across Mediterranean
cruise destinations?
Well, it was a great effort and let me also thank
(07:25):
my collaborator, still working with me, but she
took care of the cruise compass while I was, for
professional reasons out for a period of the
association. And then it was a beautiful
coincidence when I started working with the
association again I found myself in the same field
(07:46):
I left three years before, which was really
exciting for me. It was a very great, it was a
very big effort because it put together 60 teams,
members from both associations and it also spanned
not only in ports and cities, but we wanted to
hear the voices of academia. Also we wanted to
(08:09):
have some complementary perspective from
associations like TIA and aspo. we interviewed
Professor Thomas Paulus from the Araeus University
and we also had three port authorities and
municipal governments to talk and give us their
experience, such as Guarivier in Canada, Maxel in
(08:33):
France and Dubrovnik in Croatia. And the last part
I want to add, we wanted to talk also about
technical and infrastructure providers. So we
interviewed WebTac and Global. Awesome language.
As you know, it's the global terminal operator for
cruise ships. It is a first phase. We want to
(08:56):
consider this as the first output and now we want
to go further. But if I have to go back to the
compass, I think that the three main points can
be, let's say, underlined. First one, if we talk
about port is CT interface, we need to still work
a little bit more on the integration between
(09:16):
cruise terminals and yoga areas. And that is
because I think we need to improve the passenger
experience as well as the local community
engagement. And now that I'm talking, it comes to
my mind that one of the greatest example that we
had, huge project that was led by our former
(09:38):
president Figue Nayan. It was the Istanbul
terminal, the Gata Port, that was a huge effort.
And I think examples like this may help other
ports to develop a very good relationship between
port and city. Also if we talk about governance, I
(09:58):
think we need to foster the collaboration more
between the local and city planner and port
authorities and port planners and put together
also the stakeholders into the planning procedure.
This is also something that we can do in order to
standardise the procedures and features of the
(10:21):
infrastructures around the Mediterranean. And then
in the last point, and I think it is still
important if we Talk about the economic impacts
and benefits for local communities. I think that
we still need to look into the workforce training
and employment opportunities because it is not
(10:43):
only a matter of, port taxes, but it is a matter
also of cultural change. And I can give you the
example of my home city, which comes from an
industrial cost. But when the cruises started to
touch the port of Taranto, something changed and
something clicked into the community. So we now
(11:04):
have schools that are training children for
professions that are dedicated to the cruise
sector. And I think this is something that we were
not expecting. It was a surprise and it is so
important that we want to foster this more.
Absolutely.
Can you elaborate on how the document serves as a
(11:27):
compass for sustainable growth and development of
cruise ports and their communities?
Yes. while m discussing in the working group, what
came out, is that of course even in this situation
we cannot have one solution that fits all this is
tier ports and city ports are different all over,
(11:51):
throughout the Mediterranean. So what we really
wanted to do was for this first phase of
networking to create a document that could serve
as, we call it compass, but it's really a
guideline. So, we thought of giving examples,
sharing good practises so that people could
(12:12):
relate. It's not that we are not going around
talking about the compass and you should do this
or you should do that. We are, emphasising what
other people, what other ports, other cities have
done so that people can be inspired. Nothing more,
nothing less. And I think, as an IP put of the
(12:35):
first phase, it's really good. but we are still
working on the second phase which will be, I can
say, maybe even more exciting because this is the
time where, when we are thinking about giving
people some tools.
Well, that's great. Very good to hear that.
And how is MedCruise helping member ports
(12:58):
implement the sustainable, sustainable practises
highlighted in the publication?
Let me tell you that it's not just my working
group, that is working onto sustainable practise
because Metclus, has been involved in
sustainability for many years so far. One of the
(13:20):
first working group that was created was the one
about environmental impact of cruises, which is
led by my very good friend Baranya Manjarovi and
they have done an incredible and amazing job. One
of the last outputs that working group created is
a map, that is shown on Macro's website where you
(13:43):
can see all the ongoing project about alternative
fuels. If you go there, you can see, see who in
the Mediterranean clearly amongst the members of
the association as ah already OPS or is providing
OPS or different and alternative fuels, hydrogen
(14:06):
and so on. And I think this is something that
people need to see. For example, I mean I used
this map the other day when I was doing a meeting
because we really wanted to understand who was
providing this kind of services in the
Mediterranean and if a part wants to invest on an
(14:27):
alternative fuel, I think it's a good point of
view. It's a good point, starting point actually
to see who else is providing the same service. And
this is on the environmental point of view, on the
social impact point of view. As we say in Italy,
(14:47):
we are changing our shirt. Our working group was
named Cruise and City Relationship and now it is
called Cruise Community Engagement. And the name
only, even if you read, makes you understand that
the focus of is on the engagement. The focus is on
(15:10):
people. We hear worldwide a lot of problems, that
many communities, many cities, not only port
cities, are struggling with the impact of tourism
and really want to address this issue. So these
are the main points that the association is taking
(15:31):
care of right now.
That's great to hear Laura. Ah, and very
promising. So looking forward to seeing how the
relationship develops and continues to evolve and
do more really good things now. The publication
showcases Barcelona, Marseille and Dubrovnik as
(15:51):
representing different stages of cruise sector
development. But what lessons can other ports
learn from these case studies?
Overall the case studies emphasise the importance
of strategic infrastructure investment,
sustainability, community engagement,
accessibility and balancing economic benefits with
(16:15):
social and also environmental responsibility for
long term success increase for city development.
This is not an easy recipe. Let's say the
interviews with the cities of Marseilles and
Dubrovnik showcased the different stages of
development in the cruise sector that the two port
(16:37):
cities have. And in the case of Marcel, for
instance, we appreciate the contrasting
perspective in which the right balance between the
sector and the local aspiration expressed by the
political leaders is not yet cheat. Still right
now, these days Marcel is discussing about their
(17:00):
future in the cruise market. And in the spirit of
the publication, to build new dialogues, all the
voices must be heard as a first step towards a
balanced relationship. So we didn't want to cut it
out just because it wasn't totally happening in
the case of the Barrack native. Instead we can see
even more mature situation in which the problem of
(17:24):
our tourism was addressed through dialogue. Smart
City Solution was something that we picked for the
second phase and agreements with stakeholders like
the cruise lines. And these contributions are a
key to understand the highs and lows of the world
of cruise cruising through the hours also of local
(17:48):
governments was, let me tell you what difficulty
most of the time we find in our port cities. Local
government are not experts on the subject on
cruising on port operations, on what the cruise
ship wants when it calls a port. So the
relationship between local government and port
(18:11):
authorities, it's really essential. Everyone has
to do their job but if we don't cooperate nothing
can be achieved. This is something that I think I
have learned and we need to tell people that they
cannot, you know, they cannot stay in their
offices in the port, but they have to go out and
(18:33):
seek the local authorities and teachers teach them
if needed, what they need to know in order to make
better policies for the local communities.
Well that's great advice Laura, so very good to
hear your input, your insights into this.
(18:53):
What about the technical side? I mean you've
spoken a little bit about the shore power and some
other areas connected with this but, but I'm
interested to know what role do you see for
technical and infrastructural providers in
advancing the sustainable cruise port city
(19:14):
relationship outlined in your publication?
Well Holly, while writing the conference we
collected a lot of inputs about port transitions
towards a cleaner, smarter and more sustainable
cruise tourism. And I think that the providers
(19:35):
play a crucial role in advancing the sustainable
cruise port city relationship which was firstly
outlined in the publication. But their role is
pivotal for the developing and implementing the
advanced technologies such the one we're
mentioning, OPM system for instance that will
allow cruise ships to react to renewable
(19:57):
electricity grids significantly reducing
emissions. This is something that even if it was
the first maybe struggle it is still part of the
main point that cities are worried about. So I
think that the technical providers can serve for
designing and constructing modern energy
(20:18):
efficiently is there, you know and I think that
the infrastructure should think about how to
accommodate larger ships with an increased volume
of passengers of course but minimising their
environmental impact. And again let me think about
(20:39):
the Deltaport case for instance. They built a
whole neighbourhood out of an abandoned quay
inside the old town of Instanbul and it's now
thriving people that there is also a shopping,
small restaurant and when the ship is there it's a
(21:02):
huge security wall coming up allowing people to
work in a secure way and respecting of course
course also all the laws about ISPS code and
everything. So that's, that's a very good example.
That's great. Thank you for that example Laura.
(21:22):
Now we are at Seatrade Trade Cruise. We are very
eager to know more about the second phase of the
working group and your new task. So what is the
task cruise community engagement actually about?
So Holly, the name says everything. In this case
(21:43):
it's not just about showing something different
but about giving something different to the
members. We are now focusing on cruise community
engagement. And I have to say that the idea is now
to still continue to gather information from the
members but also to give them back how to do so.
(22:05):
Well the idea came because my ears were burning
when I heard an msc for instance, ah, a new
position on cruise community engagement. I thought
so this is the way, I mean it's not just us
focusing on local communities. Finally on certain
(22:25):
cruises that the cruise ships and cruise companies
see that this is where they have to go, this is
what they have to foster. And so we decided to
involve the manager that MSC has chosen who is
John, Olaf Steady. And he became our first Rocket
(22:47):
Angel. We decided to have his angels, people from
outside the association to help our members, to
give them insights on how they can work together.
For instance in this case for the first webinar
that we had together with the cruise lines. And
then I, let me tell you, it was really interesting
(23:09):
to learn how to go wrong so many times being a
port promoter sometimes you just don't know who to
talk to, how to reach the cruise line. And Jonolaf
was very good in that. And also it was funny
because during the first webinar someone came out
(23:32):
saying hey can I call you later because I have a
problem. And he said of course, this is my number,
call me anytime. So this was a great success for,
for, for us and we want to go on like this. We are
planning to have another session, another online
session. I can't spoil you who our angel will be.
(23:56):
but it will be very interesting because it's it's
going to be focused on how to manage the flows
coming down from the cruise ships.
Wow, that's very exciting. So we'll have to keep
our ah, eyes peeled for this information.
What so regarding the working group, you've spoken
(24:17):
about this, how it's changed everything that
you're doing at the moment to really develop this
concept. So the format of this second phase, it is
quite different than to previous. And have you
introduced any other innovation for development of
(24:38):
some of the activities?
Yes, it is totally different. As I said we will
still have our online meetings, but we are
thinking also of showcasing the working group
live. So in October we are going to have our
second online session and the host, as I was
(25:00):
telling you, is a very, is an expert on flow
management. I can just start with companies called
Systematica and we're going to focus on flow
management and then we're going to have a third
session in Port City. we're going to go live and
(25:22):
at that time I think it's going to be a mix of
these two phases. So members that will join can
probably showcase. It's still an ongoing thing, so
they will probably showcase and tell their
experiences. but also our angels and our experts
(25:44):
will mix with the members. And I don't want to use
the word teach because it's not a teaching
session. It's a learning session though. So from
different perspective, different experience,
different professions also people will learn. And
what we expect to come out this experience is that
(26:08):
probably. Well this is what we aim. Of course we
will see what happens. But everyone can bring home
something more on how to manage the cruise ships
in their ports. No matter if the port is a small
port regarding the cruise business or if it is a
(26:29):
large port with issues, we really hope that our
encounter of these professionals will help all of
them.
Well that's great and it's lovely to hear you
discuss this Laura, talk about these plans and
really developing the industry, pushing the
(26:50):
sustainability and you know, it's very inspiring
and very encouraging. So thank you for all of your
advice, your insights that you've shared with us
and I'm really looking forward to hearing where
this goes, this work with the AIVP and your point
City Compass, how it's growing and developing. And
(27:12):
we're going to be keeping a close eye on this and
sharing news as we learn more and more about it.
Thank you Holly. It was a pleasure to be here and
I can't wait to see you in Hamburg and discuss
more about this. Thank you to Sita too.
Thank you Laura.
Thank you very much.
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