The largest-ever cruise ship to visit the Port of Galway was welcomed by the city’s town crier, Liam Silke, yesterday.
The arrival of the 99,902 gross ton Nieuw Statendam marked a 67-year partnership with Holland America Line, according to harbourmaster Capt Brian Sheridan.
The ship arrived at the anchorage off Galway at 07:00hrs on Thursday, with passengers disembarking and heading off on shore excursions by 08:00hrs.
Guests on board the Noble Caledonia Island Sky were also welcomed on their day visit to Galway city and its surroundings.
Capt Sheridan said the visit of the Nieuw Statendam carried special significance.
“It was exactly 67 years ago on July 31st, 1958, that Holland America Line first called at Galway with the MV Ryndam, arriving from New York with 287 passengers disembarking,” he said.
The Port of Galway log records an entry exactly 67 years ago, on 31 July 1958, showing Holland America Line's first call at Galway with the MV Ryndam, arriving from New York with 287 passengers disembarking
“Since then, the Port of Galway has maintained a proud and enduring relationship with Holland America Line — a bond that spans more than six decades,”he said.
“In another striking coincidence, a Statendam-class vessel also visited Galway in 1967, when the then Statendam, at 24,294 gross tons, called from New York, delivering 200 passengers, 1,161 sacks of mail and three automobiles,” Capt Sheridan noted.
“To now welcome the ultra-modern Nieuw Statendam to Galway Bay precisely 67 years after the first Holland America Line call is both a celebration of progress and a tribute to a long-standing maritime connection,” he said.
The port is “ proud of the historic and ongoing relationship with Holland America Line”, he said.
