Stakeholder cruise Iceland, ReykjavíkHafnarfjörður June 14 – June 21, 2024
Stakeholder cruise report
Le Bellot, Ponant
Vessel
Le Bellot
Operator Ponant
Number of stakeholder meetings 7
Number of stakeholders 31
Participants form AECO Gyða Guðmundsdóttir, Head of Community Engagement
Participants from Operator Antoine Roland, Energy Manager
Introduction
AECO has a goal to be the primary point of contact for the Arctic expedition cruise industry. In alignment with this, stakeholder cruises were introduced as a tool for community engagement and government relations in 2023 Building on last year’s success, Gyða Guðmundsdóttir, and Antoina Roland embarked on a cruise in Iceland on board Ponant’s Le Bellot. The itinerary included Reykjavík, Vestmannaeyjar, Grundarfjörður, Grímsey, Akureyri, Ísafjörður and Hafnarfjörður. A total of seven stakeholder meetings were held on board, between June 14 and June 21. The goal of these meetings was to strengthen AECO’s relations, educate participants on expedition cruising and the difference between expedition and conventional cruising, and to inform about AECO’s and Ponant’s engagements and projects in Iceland They also aimed to create understanding around the planned removal of customs exemption for cruise ships in Iceland and the implications this can have on expedition cruising.
Stakeholder meetings
Participants
The stakeholders invited on board came from different entities, with various roles within their communities. They were greeted at the gangway and escorted to the Blue Eye Lounge or Theater for presentations from Ponant and AECO. Ponant’s presentation focused on the company, their philosophy, their journey towards sustainable tourism and decarbonization, and their operations in Iceland. AECO presented the association, pillars, projects in Iceland, and upcoming regulatory changes. The presentations were followed by questions from participants and finally a tour of the vessel.
Reykjavík, Saturday, 15 June
Arnar Már Ólafsson Director, Icelandic Tourist Board
Population 137,000
Margrét Wendt
Íris María Stefánsdóttir
Project Manager, Visit Reykjavik
Project Manager, Visit Reykjavik
Main sentiments: Visit Reykjavík is currently working on a cruise strategy for Reykjavik, in collaboration with Faxaflóahafnir (Reykjavik Port) and the City of Reykjavík. Le Bellot was connected to shore power during the call at Miðbakki, which the guests were interested in and very impressed by the vessel. They were interested in learning that 12 Icelandic communities have set limitations, in number of passengers or number of vessels per day. Visit Reykjavik is interested in Community Specific Guidelines, but this has never been done for a community of this size and must be looked further into.
Vestmannaeyjar, Sunday, 16 June
Erlingur Guðbjörnsson Chair, Development and port council
Population 4,500
Sæunn Magnúsdóttir Governor’s office and Development and port council
Sveinn Rúnar Valgeirsson Development and port council
Main sentiments: The council is considering port expansion in Heimaey. Tourism and the local economy are blooming with newly established aquaculture on land Operators using own zodiacs to cruise around the islands is not well liked by locals as well as when guests bring lunch packages and water from the vessel on the land tours, limiting what they spend on shore (not confirmed whether these are conventional or expedition cruise passengers) There is a newly established hop on hop off bus service on the island. Local fishermen can get annoyed when the cruise activity limits their freedom. The port would like to supply shore, but more power is needed from the mainland. Generally, the local people welcome cruise vessels and their guests, they are used to tourists coming by ferry. Interested in developing Community Specific Guidelines with AECO.
Grundarfjörður, Monday, 17 June (Iceland’s National Day)
Björg Ágústsdóttir Major of Grundarfjörður
Hafsteinn Garðarsson Harbour Master at Grundarfjörður
Population 821
Margrét Björk Björnsdóttir Manager, Visit West Iceland
Dagbjört Dúna Rúnarsdóttir
Project manager, Visit West Iceland
Main sentiments: When AECO presented the removal of customs exemption for cruise ships, which was passed in parliament in December 2023, there was sounding support from all participants in AECO’s effort to work for a different solution. Grundarfjörður had 48 port calls in 2023 and is expecting 72 port calls in 2024. Participants were interested in the scope of the Cleanship certification that all Ponant vessels have and might consider this as a requirement for vessel in the port. Björg, the Mayor, reminisced about when receiving a cruise vessel was merely an idea twenty years ago, and emphasized the importance of looking ahead to the cruise vessels of tomorrow, referring to Ponant’s Swap2Zero vessels. Visit West Iceland is eager to do a Cruise ready project with AECO as well as competing Community Specific Guidelines for Grundarfjörður, Stykkishólmur, Ólafsvík and Arnarstapi.
Grímsey, Tuesday, 18 June
Sigurveig Halla Ingólfsdóttir Tour operator, Arctic Trip
Ragnhildur Hjaltadóttir Guesthouse owner, Básar Guesthouse
Population 58
Svafar Gylfason Restaurant and local train owner
Unnur Ingólfsdóttir Restaurant and local train owner
Main sentiments: Grimsey participants requested to receive the guest feedback survey results from Ponant and know how they can improve the guest experience of visiting the Island. They emphasized the benefits of arranging the small sightseeing train, as this allows passengers to see more of the islands, also those who are not very mobile. If the vessels do not arrange for a local guide nor train, all the locals can do is hope that some of the guests will buy a cup of coffee, a souvenir or eat at the restaurant. The port fees are collected by the port of Akureyri. Ideally, there would be a passenger fee/tax collected that goes in directly to Grímsey. They have managed to agree with the port of Akureyri that there will only be one vessel at a time visiting the Island.
Akureyri, Wednesday, 19 June
Population 20,000 Hulda Sif Hermannsdóttir PA to the Mayor of Akureyri
Katrín Harðardóttir
Halldór Óli Kjartansson
Friðrik Þórsson
Project Manager, Visit North Iceland
Project Manager, Visit North Iceland
Communications Manager, Icelandic Arctic Cooperation Network
María Helena Tryggvadóttir Tourism manager at Akureyri town
Jóhanna Tryggvadóttir Project Manager, Port of Akureyri
Ingibjörg Þorvaldsdóttir Office manager, Port of Akureyri
Jóhannes Antonsson Port Security, Port of Akureyri
Main sentiments: There was interest from the mayor ’s office in this year’s Joint Arctic SAR event topic on how to limit the strains on local health care. The management at Akureyri hospital have been outspoken in media about the added pressure of passengers from cruise ships being sent to the hospital. The office would like to share contacts for the local hospital and work towards communicating the capabilities of the hospital to cruise operators, like what has been done in Longyearbyen with good results. The Iceland Arctic Cooperation Network have applied for a big grant for a sustainable tourism project and will keep AECO informed on further developments. Akureyri has set a limit to number of passengers per day to 5000-7000. Akureyri will be able to supply shore power to smaller vessels from 2025.
Ísafjörður, Thursday, 20 June
Population 3800 Jón Auðun Auðunarson General Manager, Vesturferðir
Karlotta Dúfa Markan Cruise Operations Manager, Vesturferðir
Hilmar Kristjánsson Lyngmo Port Master, Port of Ísafjörður
Heimir G. Hansson Tourism Manager, Port of Ísafjörður
Main sentiments: The mayor of Ísafjörður tasked the port master to make a cruise strategy, which was published in April 2024. The strategy includes a passenger limitation of 8000 a day from 2024. The port has hired a tourism manager, who is responsible for updating the port’s social channels and thereby informing the local community about activity in the port. Vesturferðir would like vessels to stop longer at Ísafjörður (Le Bellot was there from 7:3013:00). The mayor and port master have already supported AECO’s action in the customs exemption case in 2023 and are willing to continue their support as cruise tourism and expedition cruise vessels are important for the town.
Hafnarfjörður, Friday, 21 June
Lúðvík Geirsson Port Master
Hildur Karen Ragnarsdóttir Expedition Manager, Iceland Travel
Population 30,616
Skúli Halldórsson Team Leader at Expeditions, Iceland Travel
Unnur Elva Arnardóttir Service Director at Skeljungur Bunkering
Main sentiments: Lúðvík, port master, has previously been a member of parliament and is currently also the chair of the Icelandic port’s association, he is a great resource and support for custom exemption lobbying Hafnarfjörður was the first Icelandic port to offer shore connection, and Le Bellot was the first vessel to connect in 2022. Port considering investment in batterie packs to access better electricity price (reducing peaks consumption). Plans have been approved for building a hotel near the port. The association of Icelandic ports is trying to change the legal framework to allow for ports to implement the Environmental Port Index (EPI) and adjust their prices to favor the less polluting vessels. Discussion for biofuels at shore or by barges (FAME - type of biofuel). The municipality wants to develop community specific guidelines for Hafnarfjordur with AECO as well as provide more information for Made in the Arctic. Ponant was asked whether they would take local artists on board to entertain while the vessel is overnight.
Conclusion
The stakeholder cruises in 2024 gave an opportunity to maintain and create new relations with local communities on the Icelandic coast. With around 20.700 passengers on AECO members vessels in 2023 in Iceland, it remains an important area There are still areas to develop and positive to see interest from local stakeholders in developing with AECO. Changes in the regulatory framework might have serious consequences for Iceland voyages and getting the opportunity to explain this to stakeholders and gathering their support.
As an operator and AECO member, Ponant had the opportunity to receive valuable feedback from local communities regarding their perception of the company and its excursion activities. Engaging in discussions about shore connection development, identifying potential new activities and itineraries for Icelandic cruises, and exploring potential local projects to support land and species protection proved to be highly beneficial. Additionally, Ponant shares AECO's concerns regarding the tourism regulatory framework, as Iceland represents a significant area of activity for the company. This mission has created a strong foundation for potentially preserving cruise activities in Iceland.
