Development of Cruise Ship Industry in Russia Discussed at NEVA 2017 Exhibition
On September 20, 2017 panel discussions, “The Development of Cruise Ship Industry”, were held at the NEVA 2017 international exhibition.
The discussions involved the director of Russia's Transport Ministry State Policy Department in Maritime and Inland Shipping, Vitaly Klyuyev, president of the Russian Navigation Chamber Alexey Klyavin, Rostourism deputy head Sergei Korneyev, FSUE “Rosmorport” Deputy General Director Oksana Gubina, as well as representatives of Russian and foreign shipping and shipbuilding companies.
The development of cruise ship industry in Russia, the situation at the tourist domestic market and the renovation of cruise fleet have become the key topics of the discussions. In addition, the participants of the meeting discussed the development of cruises on the Black Sea and prospects for the development of cruise ship industry in the Arctic region.
Speakers included Deputy Director for Economics and Finances of the FSUE “Rosmorport” North-Western Basin Branch Nadezhda Kalashnik and Head of Projects of the FSUE “Rosmorport” Directorate for the Fleet Maintenance Artyom Fedkin.
The panel discussions focused on the project aimed at restoring cruise service in the Black Sea Region. The project has been realized in fulfillment of Russian President Vladimir Putin's instruction.
Regular cruise service started on June 11, 2017. A comfortable motor boat, the Knyaz Vladimir, has been bought to organize cruise service. During its first voyage, the liner carried almost 250 passengers. During the navigation in 2017, the motor vessel transported about 4,000 passengers along the Black Sea coast. The route connects the resorts located in Krasnodar Territory and Crimea: Sochi – Novorossiysk – Yalta – Sevastopol. The cruise's program envisions fascinating excursions in the cities to which the vessel calls, entertainment and informative events aboard the vessel.
In conclusion the participants of the panel discussions underlined the tourists' increasing interest in the new tourist product. They also noted the high potential of the routes along the Black Sea coast.
