Aleco Keusseogleu, President of SEPM, and BAM President Chrissie Courtney

Wearing one of his several hats, Aleco Keusseoglou, President of the SEPM (Société d’exploitation de Ports de Monaco) responsible for managing Port Hercule and the Fontvieille port, was addressing members of the British Association of Monaco.

From 101 calls in 2002, the number of ships scheduled to stop here in 2010 is 258, of which 64% are in the premium deluxe category – the ones who spend the most money. But that does not mean they are all the “human-sized” vessels which make little impact on the horizon, or that they are the coveted “turn-around” bookings which encourage passengers to spend a couple of nights in Monaco either side of their cruise.

The industry has changed, says Mr Keusseoglou, with 70% of the world’s fleet controlled by three companies (Carnival/P&O, Royal Caribbean and Apollo/Star Cruises/NCL. “To get 14 turn-arounds for Carnival’s small deluxe ship, the Seabourn, we have to accept the mass market liners in return,” he explains. Another problem is that many companies are laying up their smaller vessels and having deluxe sections on their big liners.

The good news is that these giants will be able to connect up to electric power points on land, and not have to use their often smoky generators, as the Principality pursues a massive electrification programme.

The economic impact of hundreds of tourists wandering round with maps in hand and buying the odd ice cream is difficult to judge. A study conducted in 2007 estimated that passengers brought in 12 million euros that year, of which 70-80% comes from the deluxe market. What is certain is that the SEPM earned 1 million euros (cost of docking, etc).

The new harbour wall (digue) can take ships up to 300m long. The reason it has not been developed further to accommodate shops and bars as originally planned is America’s post-9/11 fear of terrorist attacks. It would be difficult to monitor activities and the digue has to comply with strict security standards.

Claire Lathbury