It was a pleasant sight and a promise of better days for tourism activities into beautiful Madang as the Hanseatic Nature Cruise Ship slipped into the tourist town early this month at 6am, bringing with her over 170 excited tourists.
Hanseatic Nature is the fourth cruise ship to visit Madang this year, with PNG Ports Corporation Limited providing pilotage in and out of the port and safe berthing for the vessel.
The return of cruise shipping since October last year has provided some relief to the local tourism industry, which was hard, hit by the COVID pandemic over the past three years.
On behalf of PNG Ports, Madang Port Business Manager, Cecilia Konny, welcomed Hanseatic Nature on its
maiden voyage to Madang.
The vessel made her maiden voyage to the province prior to visiting Tuam Island in Morobe and Tufi in Oro. On board were 172 tourists. While some chose to visit tourist’s sites in Madang, part of the group chartered a plane to Goroka for a sneak peak of the highlands town and Asaro mud men before making it back in time for their 9pm departure.
Cruise tourism in the country looks promising with up to 100 cruise visits expected this year.
So far, PNG Ports has handled 37 cruise ships at the ports since last October and we are proud to be working alongside other stakeholders dedicated in driving cruise tourism in the country.
With 15 ports owned and managed by PNG Ports, a significant investment is being made to upgrade and rehabilitate existing infrastructure.
“PNG Ports remains committed to ensuring the ports and the services offered continue to meet the requirements of the industry as we collectively work to ensure the PNG visit is a memorable one,” said Konny.
Konny, presented Hanseatic Nature’s Master, Captain Ulf Sodemann and crew members with a commemorative plaque for the vessel’s maiden voyage to Madang. In exchange, Capt. Sodermann also gifted Madang Port with a plaque of the ships structure and information. Hanseatic Nature’s sister ship will be travelling to PNG soon.
Silver Shadow, Le Laperouse and Silver Muse are the three other cruise ships that visited Madang.