Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA) – Mrs Nomita Seebaluck, Assistant Commercial Manager: Promoting Port Louis harbour as a Cruise Destination

“ Promoting Port Louis Harbour as a Cruise Destination” Mrs. Nomita Devi Seebaluck Asst. Commercial Manager Information Day on Communication École Hôtelière Sir Gaëtan Duval Ébène Friday 10 April 2009

Chiwan 18 days Sydney 16 days New York 32 Days Durban 4 days Felixstowe 27/31 days Sensitivity of Port Louis Harbour Singapore 10 days
Strategically located at the crossroad of main maritime routes b/w Far East & Africa and Europe & Australia
Country’s only maritime gateway for External trade (99%)
Vital connection for Indian Ocean islands & peripheral regions
Stimulator of economic activity
Engine of Cruise Tourism development

Main Service Providers – Cruise Sector Mauritius Ports Authority
Pilotage & Tug services
Supply of Pontoons for taxi-boats
Public Sector
Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority
Customs
Police incl. National Coast Guard
Min. of Health, Agriculture…
Private Sector
Shipping Agents
Inbound Tour Operators
Mooring Gangs
Taxis & Taxi-boats
Provision of fresh water & ship supplies
Bunkering Facilities
Garbage Removal
Luggage handling services

Present Port Situation
No dedicated terminal for passenger vessels
Cruise vessels are handled in operational areas

Port Facilities Quay No. 4 Quay No. 3 Quay D Quay A

Port Louis Harbour - ISPS compliant since 1 July 2004
Capping of vessel Gross Tonnage at 35,000
Safe & outstanding tourism destination
Seasonality - pleasant climate almost the whole year
An unrivalled mix of languages/landscapes/lifestyles/cultures
Diversity of land-based/marine-based attractions
World Class Services by Tour Operators, Hotels, Restaurants, etc.
Good standard of basic infrastructure (roads, hospitals, transport)
Minimum formalities on arrival of cruise vessels
Port Louis as a Cruise Hub - Strengths

Connectivity – Sea & Air Neighbouring ports/ cities are within reasonable sailing/flying time

Costa Crocière
Costa Crocière SPA - 1 st international co. to choose Port Louis as the home-port in South West Indian Ocean
Italian company
Based in Genoa
Market leader position in Italy, France, Spain and Switzerland
Itinerary : 1 st trip from Savona Itinerary: Indian Ocean Islands

Costa Marina
Costa Marina
Gross Tonnage : 25,600 t
Overall Length: 174.20 m
Draft : 8.2 m
Dec 07 – Mar 08: 7 calls
Cruise Traffic : 10,500 pax

Costa Europa
Costa Europa
Gross Tonnage: 54,763 t Overall Length: 243 m Draft: 7.5 m
Dec 08 – Mar 09 : 8 calls Cruise Traffic: 22,000 pax

Costa Romantica
Costa Romantica
Gross Tonnage: 54,049 t Overall Length :220 m Draft: 7.5 m
Dec 09 – Mar 10 : 8 calls Cruise Traffic: 20,000 pax expected

Weaknesses
Even today, we struggle with the existing capacity..
Capacity/Infrastructure constraints - too few berths
Too few ports – itinerary not flexible
Quality of regional ports as destinations
Nautical constraints – big cruise vessels
Poor transport/logistics to / from ports to Tourist destinations
Port development costs v/s rate of return on investment

Evolution of Cruise Tourism
Cruise industry - most exciting growth category in entire leisure market
Since 1990, avg pax growth rate - 7.4% p.a
In the 70s - 500,000 pax
Source: CLIA Cruise Market Overview 2008

Opportunities
The cruise market potential is strong.
Strong growth of European demand (German, French and Spanish markets) - our main source tourist market
Average age of cruise passengers is falling
Cruise industry - fleet renovation process with larger vessels coming into service
40 new buildings in the 80s
80 additional in the 90s
100 + new cruise ships in 2008

Passenger Capacity - North America Source: CLIA Cruise Market Overview 2008

Other Cruise Liners
Port Louis as their Cruise Hub for South West Indian Ocean
Ocean Odyssey of Foresight Limited
MSC Cruises
Sail-Cruise project

Threats
Some key developments in 2008
in bunker price (oil prices) operating costs : introduction of a Fuel Surcharge for pax
In 2005, Fuel costs: $11- $12 per pax/per day
In 2008, Fuel costs: $25- $26 per pax/per day
With Financial crisis, bookings , resulting in promo & deals
Free travel for second passenger
A week in the Caribbean for $30
Economic uncertainty: late bookings & close-to-home cruises to avoid expense on flying
Cost became a determining factor in cruisers’ choice
Source: BRS The Shipping & Shipbuilding Market in 2009

Port Development Project

Evolution of Cruise Vessel Calls 25 12 19

Evolution of Cruise Passenger Traffic 15,621

Cruise Jetty at Les Salines Facilities
Dedicated jetty of 124m long
2 Access bridges
Land mooring structures
Fender system and lighting
Access road and parking area
Contract Awarded to Afcons (India) Ltd Design & Construction Supervision Royal Haskoning (UK) Estimated Cost Rs. 520M Start of Works on Site (piling) Feb 2009 Completion Oct 2009 MPA is considering the construction of a Terminal Building of 1,000 m 2

Les Salines Waterfront Village
Cruise Terminal & Associated Facilities
Waterfront Park/ Commercial/Conference Centres / Hotels
Recreational Facilities/ Marina Facilities/Sports Complex
Maritime Museum/ Art Galleries/ Exhibition Hall

Works on Site

Thank you

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Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA) – Mrs Nomita Seebaluck, Assistant Commercial Manager: Promoting Port Louis harbour as a Cruise Destination

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