Sikuki Nuuk Harbour becomes Greenland’s first Cruise Europe member
The port is expanding its cruise facilities as turnaround operations and expedition traffic support Greenland’s visitor economy.
Sikuki Nuuk Harbour has joined Cruise Europe, becoming the first seaport in Greenland to enter the association. The move comes as Nuuk strengthens its role as a cruise destination on Greenland’s west coast.
In 2025, the harbour received 78 cruise calls carrying 43,670 passengers. That total included 27 turnaround visits operated by companies including Viking and Hurtigruten. The port expects 48 calls this year, with 27 turnarounds, before forecasting 70 calls and 45 turnaround operations next year. Expedition ships carrying up to about 600 passengers represent most of Nuuk’s cruise traffic. Larger vessels also call from brands including AIDA Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean.
A new turnaround terminal offers passport control, immigration and baggage-handling facilities, with operations coordinated directly with the airport. Separately, a 350-metre quay expansion is scheduled for completion in 2028. The project is intended to relocate commercial vessel operations and make Atlantkaj and Feederkaj dedicated cruise facilities.
An independent Ramboll study commissioned by Visit Greenland estimated that cruise activity generated about DKK765 million, or EUR102 million. That represented 40% of the sector’s DKK1.9 billion turnover. The study attributed DKK501 million to expedition cruising and DKK264 million to conventional cruise operations.