Seatrade is World’s Best Cruise Networking Event

By Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO

Nothing captures the energy, reach and impact of the cruise industry like Seatrade Cruise Global, an annual convention that is all things "cruise." The Port of Galveston was one of more than 600 exhibitors at this year's conference, held April 8-11 at the Miami Convention Center.

Seatrade is all about networking, learning and exploring. This year, the event attracted more than 2,700 cruise line executives and 11,000 attendees representing 120 countries. That diversity was on display at the exhibits spotlighting the fun and flavors of cruise ports across the globe, from familiar Caribbean spots to more exotic locations in Saudi Arabia, Japan and New Zealand.

Networking with Cruise Partners

Nothing beats meeting face to face. With Galveston port cruise partners based across the U.S. and Europe, the convention gave our staff the opportunity to have several productive meetings with port partners.

We met with top executives from MSC Cruises, which is based in Geneva, Switzerland, to update them on the progress we're making in designing our fourth cruise terminal at Pier 16. Construction on the $140 million cruise complex will begin this summer. The terminal will homeport the MSC Seascape beginning in November 2025.

We also met with cruise executives interested in expanding their cruise operations in Galveston. As the global cruise industry grows, it's exciting to see how bullish major cruise lines are on Galveston, the nation's fourth most popular cruise port.

Separate from these formal, scheduled meetings, we did lots of business and networking at our exhibit. Thank you to Federal Maritime Commissioner Louis Sola, our master plan consultants from Bermello Ajamil & Partners, our cruise boarding bridge manufacturing partners from Adelte all the way from Spain, and many others for stopping by to talk with port and Visit Galveston staff.

Also, thanks to Tony Lyle, Visit Galveston executive director, who attended his first-ever Seatrade and partnered with the port in manning our exhibit and hosting a casual reception.

The Future of the Cruise Industry

Seatrade was also about learning. The conference offered 88 sessions, covering a full spectrum of cruise business topics. The industry's future was a common thread, with sustainability and new technologies covered in several sessions.

I was honored to represent Galveston in a panel discussion on sustainability hosted by Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty. He told the standing-room-only crowd, "We will collectively shape the next era for the cruise industry."

His comments kicked off a discussion about clean alternative fuels, shore power, fuel cells and other low-carbon solutions to fuel a growing, sustainable cruise industry.

Fellow panelist K.R. Sridhar, PhD, CEO of Bloom Energy, spoke about how fuel cells are providing clean energy for cruise ship shore power and other uses.

I had the opportunity to talk about Galveston's initiatives with liquefied natural gas (LNG) marine fuel bunkering and shore power for cruise and cargo ships.

Attending Seatrade continues to confirm that the Port of Galveston is growing in stature, not only as a popular home port, but as a respected cruise operator.

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