pricing & policy 2026

policy

1) Purpose & Scope

This policy governs cruise calls at Skjolden Port (pier/anchorage), including booking, capacity management, pricing, operations, safety, environment, and communication with agents and cruise lines.

2) Definitions

• Port / Havn: Skjolden Cruise Port (Skjolden, Luster).

• Quay (Pier): The fixed berth at Skjolden.

• Anchorage: Approved anchor position(s) served by tender/shore boats.

• Lower Berths (LB): The standard cruise industry measure of passenger capacity used for priority rules.

• Call Year: The calendar year in which a call occurs (e.g., 2026).

• Agent: The ship/line’s appointed representative.

3) Capacity & Call Model

• Daily capacity: Normally up to 5,500 lower berths combined (quay + anchorage) unless otherwise stated by the Port for safety, logistics, or local constraints.

• Berth use: One ship alongside the quay; additional ships may be assigned to anchorage within capacity and safety limits.

• Tender ops: Lines using anchorage must ensure adequate tender capacity, safe operations, and schedule coordination with the Port.

4) Booking, Confirmation & Priority

4.1 Requests: Booking requests are accepted on a rolling basis via the Port’s standard form or email with ETA/ETD, LB, LOA/beam/draft, and operational needs.
4.2 Confirmation: A booking is confirmed when the Port issues written confirmation specifying quay or anchorage.
4.3 Priority protection for large ships:

• Ships ≥2,000 LB with a confirmed quay position cannot be moved to anchorage once the Call Year starts (00:00, Jan 1).

• Before the Call Year starts, movement rules in §5 apply.

5) Quay→Anchorage Reallocation (Before Call Year Starts)

5.1 Time window: A confirmed quay call may be moved to anchorage only until 23:59 on Dec 31 of the year preceding the Call Year. Example: For 2026 calls, reallocation can be decided until 23:59, Dec 31, 2025. No such moves are permitted on or after 00:00, Jan 1 of the Call Year.
5.2 Eligibility: Reallocation may be considered only if all conditions are met:

• (a) A later-booked ship (“Ship B”) requests the quay for the same date.

• (b) Size delta: Ship B’s LB ≥ Ship A’s LB + 1,000.

• (c) Capacity & safety remain within Port limits (§3).

• (d) The ship being moved (“Ship A”) is <2,000 LB.
  5.3 Process & notice:

• Port informs the impacted agent(s) in writing, stating reasons and offering comparable operational support for anchorage.

• Agents may submit a written objection within a reasonable window (normally 5 working days); the Port issues a final decision thereafter.
  5.4 Advisory to agents: For ships <2,000 LB, we recommend postponing public marketing of “quay” status until after Jan 1 of the Call Year.

6) Cancellation & Changes

6.1 By the Line/Agent: Cancellations and material changes (date, LB, LOA, draft) must be notified promptly. Standard cancellation terms and any fees appear on the current Tariff.
6.2 By the Port: The Port may adjust/deny calls if safety, weather, force majeure, regulatory orders, or community impact thresholds require it. We aim to propose reasonable alternatives where feasible.

7) Pricing & Annual CPI Adjustment

7.1 Tariff basis: Harbor dues and services are charged per the Skjolden Port Tariff in effect on the call date.
7.2 Annual CPI update (October cadence):

• Prices are CPI-indexed each October using an equal-weighted composite of the latest 12-month CPI for USD (US), GBP (UK), EUR (Euro Area), and NOK (Norway) (25% each).

• Updated rates are communicated to all agents and cruise lines by Oct 31 each year and published on our website and calculator.
  7.3 Effective date: The Port will specify the effective date with each October update; unless stated otherwise, updated rates apply to calls after the effective date.

8) Invoicing & Payment

8.1 Invoicing: Issued to the Agent/Line after the call unless prepayment is required.
8.2 Payment terms: As stated on the invoice/Tariff (typically net 14 days). Late payment may incur interest and admin fees as permitted by law.
8.3 Currency: NOK unless otherwise agreed in writing.

9) Operations at Quay & Anchorage

9.1 Pilotage/towage/mooring: Follow national regulations and service providers’ requirements.
9.2 Gangways & access: The ship is responsible for safe embark/disembark arrangements compliant with ISPS and Norwegian regulations.
9.3 Tenders (anchorage): Master/Line ensures seaworthiness, crew competence, life-saving appliances, and weather-fit operations; the Port may halt tendering if safety conditions deteriorate.
9.4 Garbage & services: Where offered, services are provided per technical availability and Tariff. Advance coordination is required.
9.5 Traffic & tours: Agents coordinate bus staging, tour timing, and local traffic rules with the Port and municipality.

10) Safety, Security & Compliance

10.1 ISPS: Skjolden operates under ISPS. Masters/CSOs/agents must comply with security directives and cooperate with the PFSO.
10.2 Emergency: The Port’s emergency plan aligns with local fire/rescue and medical services. Masters must report incidents immediately.
10.3 Alcohol/drugs & conduct: Crew, contractors, and visitors must comply with Norwegian law and Port rules.

11) Environment & Community

11.1 Emissions & noise: Vessels must minimize emissions, soot, visible smoke, and noise. Auxiliary engines and tender ops should be optimized to reduce impact.
11.2 Discharges: No discharge to water/shore outside approved facilities. Waste handling per Norwegian regulations and Tariffed services.
11.3 Wildlife & heritage: Protect local nature and cultural sites; drones and filming require permits where applicable.
11.4 Community coordination: The Port may stagger arrivals/tendering to reduce peak impacts in the village.

12) Data, Privacy & Communication

12.1 Point of contact: The Agent is the official liaison.
12.2 Advance notices: ETAs, pax counts, special needs, medical cases, and security notices must be updated promptly.
12.3 Annual October notice: The Port proactively contacts all registered agents/lines each October with the CPI update and new tariff (see §7).

13) Liability & Indemnity

13.1 Liability: Each party is responsible for its own acts/omissions under Norwegian law.
13.2 Indemnity: Lines/Agents indemnify the Port and municipality against losses arising from the ship’s operations, except to the extent caused by the Port’s willful misconduct or gross negligence.
13.3 Insurance: Vessels must carry adequate P&I and third-party liability cover.

14) Force Majeure

The Port is not liable for delay/failure due to events beyond reasonable control (e.g., extreme weather, landslides, power loss, strikes, regulatory orders). We will seek fair alternatives where feasible.

15) Disputes & Governing Law

This policy is governed by Norwegian law. Disputes should first be discussed amicably between the Port and Agent; failing that, they may be brought before the competent Norwegian courts.

16) Amendments

The Port may amend this policy with reasonable notice. October CPI updates are routine (§7). Structural or operational changes will be communicated to Agents promptly.