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The Port of Gothenburg has reported that 32 cruise vessels will be visiting the city this year, making the port the third-largest cruise destination in Sweden.

The announcement is a positive sign for bunker sales volumes at the port following news that import and export volumes passing through the Port of Gotheburg continued to fall during the first quarter of this year as a result of the recession - with the exception of oil.

According to the port, the number of cruise passangers is at all-time high this year at 30,000. The new cruise terminal, launched in time for the arrival of the first cruise ship of 2009 on May 5th, is located in the heart of Gothenburg, within walking distance of the city centre, attractions and shops.

It is hoped that the new terminal will also attract an increased number of cruise vessels in the future, which would in turn have a positive effect on bunker sales in Gothenburg.

With regards to import and export volumes, 193,000 TEUs passed through the port during the first quarter of this year. The figure is nine per cent down on the corresponding period last year.

Commenting on the results the Port of Gothenburg said "From an international point of view, the downturn is not dramatic and export volumes continue to strong."

Harder hit by the recession was traffic at the ro/ro terminal, which dropped by 22 per cent.

However, despite the economic downturn, the port of Gotheburg has secured five new routes since the turn of the year - four to Russia and one direct route to India.

"Even if volumes aren't that big at present the shipping lines want to establish the routes to prepare for when the market picks up again. When that happens, the Port of Gotheburg will be in an even stronger position as the largest port in the Nordic region and the gateway to Russia and the other Baltic countries."