- Nearly 1 Million Cruise Passengers Visit CMP Ports in 2024.
- Copenhagen Hosts Year-Round Cruise Calls for the First Time.
- Visby and Copenhagen Shine with Maiden Calls in 2024.
The year 2024 was on a different scale for Copenhagen Malmö Port (CMP) during a year where expectations greatly exceeded just under 1 million cruise guests across the three ports of Malmö, Visby, and Copenhagen. For Copenhagen, it saw more than 818,000 passengers. Visby welcomed nearly 170,000. Malmö also had 1,700 visitors. In total, the ports accommodated 385 calls. The number of calls in Copenhagen was 280, in Visby 102, and in Malmö 3. The turn-around calls for Copenhagen were 106, while overnight stays numbered 26, making it the top destination, reports CMP.
Record-Breaking Cruise Season in 2024
For the first time, Copenhagen experienced cruise calls throughout the year, while Visby welcomed arrivals during an extended season from April to October and around Christmas in December. A remarkable number of maiden calls highlighted the arrival of modern, efficient ships, with 9 in Copenhagen and 11 in Visby. Copenhagen was recognized for its excellence, winning the World Travel Award as Europe’s Leading Cruise Port 2024.
Germans dominated the cruise passengers in both Copenhagen and Visby, while Europeans were the largest group of visitors.
Crossing the Million-Passenger Mark
CMP is now expecting an even stronger cruise season in 2025, forecasting over 1 million passengers and 403 calls across its ports. The latter will lead with 850,000 passengers and 295 calls, of which 107 turn-around calls, while Visby is forecasted to receive 172,000 passengers and 105 calls.
Expectations for 2025
The year will bring 14 maiden calls, cementing the appeal of the region for modern ships. Copenhagen again will demonstrate year-round capabilities when the first calls of 2025 arrive on January 3rd. Turn-around guests are forecasted to drive significant contributions toward Copenhagen’s economy, cementing its status as a regional transport hub.
Luis De Carvalho, Commercial Cruise Director at CMP, shared his outlook for the year:
“While extremely satisfied with the year 2024 that exceeded expectations, we look forward to yet another exciting year ahead in 2025, with a solid and increasing number of calls and passengers expected in Copenhagen and Visby, as well as the inauguration of Copenhagen’s major cruise shore-power facility. A strong cruise sector and an extensive cruise season mean positive economic impact for the local business and communities.”
Shore Power and Net-Zero Goals
By 2025, one of Europe’s biggest shore-power facilities will be fully operational in Copenhagen. With five connection points at Oceankaj and Langelinie, this facility will allow ships to turn off auxiliary engines when docked and cut emissions. CMP has already been providing shore power to the Oslo-Copenhagen ferry since 2021 and will significantly boost environmental sustainability.
The terminals at Langelinie will be fully upgraded and expanded in 2025, combining modern capabilities such as shore power and sewage connection with respect for the historic character of the pier. CMP also aims to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions in its operations by the end of 2025.
Strengthening Regional Collaboration
The strategic partnerships of CMP with Cruise Denmark – Copenhagen and Beyond, Cruise Baltic, and Cruise Europe will continue to develop the Baltic region as a destination for responsible cruise tourism. This collaboration will be underlined in May 2025 when Copenhagen hosts the Cruise Europe annual conference. The event, marking the 33rd anniversary of the first conference in Copenhagen in 1992, will further cement the city’s leadership in the cruise industry.
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Source: CMP
