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Two weeks after announcing the deployment of
the brand new Ovation of the Seas to Australia for five itineraries to New
Zealand, Royal Caribbean has been faced with its first major obstacle -- Ports
of Auckland has changed its plans to build a wharf big enough.
Auckland Council, which owns the port company, announced on Thursday that only
one of two planned expansions would proceed at Bledisloe Wharf, rendering it
unable to accommodate the 348-metre, 4,180-passenger Ovation of the Seas.
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According to Cruise New Zealand, this not
Image: Quantum of the Seas - click to enlarge
only threatens the first season of its biggest-ever
visiting ship, it also jeopardizes the country's fast-growing cruise industry
and national economy.
“Ports of Auckland has advised the port will not be able to take the new
generation of larger ships such as the Ovation of the Seas, without the full
extension it had originally planned,” said Cruise New Zealand chairman Kevin
O'Sullivan. “If the ship is unable to call at Auckland, it is unlikely to come
to New Zealand at all.”
But this worst-case scenario has not yet been confirmed by the ship's operator.
Gavin Smith, regional vice president, Asia Pacific, Royal Caribbean Cruises,
told Cruise Critic that the company would attempt to seek a solution to the
issue.
“We are disappointed to learn about Ports of Auckland's concern regarding
berthing for Ovation of the Seas,” Smith said.
“Auckland is an important destination for our guests who visit from around the
world. We will continue to work closely with Ports of Auckland to determine a
working solution for Ovation of the Seas to visit.”
Smith said the company “remains in discussions with ports around New Zealand”
regarding the proposed itineraries for Ovation of the Seas.
The shock agreement between Ports of Auckland and Auckland Council follows a
four-week “stand-off”, after councilors reacted to news that the extensions
would reach almost 100 meters into the harbor, local media reported. Community
group, Stop Stealing Our Harbor, is planning a protest march in the city on
Sunday.
Auckland's full wharf extension plans will be the subject of a forthcoming,
year-long Port Future Study into the impacts and effects of the extensions.
“This will determine the extent of any further port extensions,” said
O'Sullivan. “We will continue discussions in Auckland to see if a resolution can
be found.” |
