Nuuk Port Builds 350-Meter Cruise Dock
Greenland's Sikuki Nuuk Port is building a 350-meter dock extension to separate cruise ships from commercial vessels by 2028.
The Port of Sikuki Nuuk in Greenland is constructing a 350-meter dock extension that will create exclusive berths for cruise ships by 2028, moving all commercial vessels away from the tourist terminals. The port's executive director, John Rasmussen, stated the nearby new international airport has already generated new cruise call activity. The port's stats show its growing role in Arctic tourism.
A new passenger terminal at the port is set to begin operations in 2025. This facility will handle passport control, immigration, and baggage in direct coordination with the airport. The site also includes an information center with local souvenir shops and restrooms.
Current Cruise Infrastructure
The port currently uses two main quays for cruise operations. Both are located about one kilometer from downtown Nuuk, with shuttle buses available if needed.
| Quay Name | Length | Depth | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantkaj | 100 meters | 10 meters | Ships up to 300 meters in length |
| Feederkaj | 40 meters | 6.5 meters | Smaller or expedition ships |
Anchorage is also available just outside the port in Malene Bay, approximately a five-minute tender ride to a dedicated pier next to the Feederkaj.
Cruise Traffic and Economic Impact
In 2024, the port managed 48 ship calls, of which 27 were port calls. It forecasts an increase to 70 ship calls and 45 port calls for the next year. For context, the port handled 78 calls in a previous year and 62 calls in 2024. You can track such trends on our fixtures page.
While most arrivals are expedition ships carrying up to 600 passengers, the port has also received conventional cruises from lines like AIDA Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Royal Caribbean Cruises. In 2025, cruise ships accounted for about 38% of all ship-related revenue for the port, making it the single most important category and roughly 6% of Sikuki's total turnover.
An independent study for Visit Greenland by Ramboll found the cruise sector represents a significant part of international tourism impact in Greenland. The total impact was USD 295 million, with the cruise sector contributing USD 117 million, or 40%. Within that, expedition cruising generated a significant portion and conventional cruising another portion.
John Rasmussen noted the growing economic benefit. "Cruises are becoming more than just the icing on the cake for us," he said. He added that several analyses indicate they generate real growth in the city.
Port Services and Future Considerations
The port provides fuel and fresh water bunkering. However, on the issue of waste disposal, Rasmussen expressed a preference. "We would prefer that ships take their waste out of the Arctic," he stated, citing a lack of sufficiently large incineration facilities to process large volumes.
Shore power, which would be generated from hydropower, is being considered for the future but is not a priority for the cruise industry in the coming years, according to the port executive. It is already provided for some commercial vessels.
Two port agents, Eimskip and Blue Water Shipping, represent calling vessels. The main tour operators on the ground are DMC Nordic, Tupilak Travel, and Greenland Excursions.
Mikkel Nonboe Sorensen, the Compliance Manager, explained that Nuuk is easy to explore independently from the docks, with museums, cafes, restaurants, and shops downtown. Going further afield requires hiring a boat or taking a flight, as no roads connect Greenlandic towns. Sikuki Nuuk is the first port in Greenland to join the Cruise Europe network, reflecting its goal to further develop the cruise industry.
