Wednesday, October 18, 2017 - 09:02 by ce-press
Galway, situated on the west coast of Ireland, is primarily a tender port. When P&O Cruises’ Oriana called recently, shore tendering was provided by a local domestic ferry. Captain Brian Sheridan, harbour master Port of Galway, commented: “This proved a great success and is to be implemented for all ships at Galway greater than 50,000gt and passenger numbers greater than 1,000.”
Presently, only the very small adventure cruiseships can moor alongside due to beam restrictions at the dock gates. Ships of 110m in length with a beam of 17m and draught of 6.2m can however be accommodated at the 164m-long quay. The anchorage can accommodate any size of ship and is 2.0nm from the tender pontoon. The arrival pontoon is about 20 minutes walk from the town centre.
The Port of Galway is currently in the last stages of a planning application with the National Planning Authority to expand its infrastructure. Permission is expected in late 2018. The expansion will transform the port’s capability in terms of the cruise sector as well as other areas.
The new development will have 660m of quays at dredged depths of 12m chart datum, capable of accommodating ships of 350m in length. Channel depth will be 8m with a turning circle of 400m in diameter. The permission incorporates a cruise terminal, coach parking bays, check-in and baggage control.
To be built in four stages, the development will include a marina, fishing pier and slipway, nautical centre slipway, freight rail link and commercial port formation.
In 2017 passengers visiting Galway numbered 6,136 and crew 2,985. Next year the figures will be 9,417 and 4,474 respectively.
Galway has very strong links with Holland America Line. Maasdam was a regular caller in the 1950’s, nowadays Prinsendam comes in regularly. In August 2017, the largest ship to be serviced, Oriana, called and will return on July 18 2018. Next year Seabourn makes its first call to the Irish port, also in July, with Seabourn Quest.
Currently, it is 900m walk from the port/pontoon to the city. Improved signage and street walking maps have been introduced for cruise passengers. The Harbour Hotel is offering passengers reduced prices at the restaurant. The Galway Food Tour is a new excursion that is gaining popularity amongst passengers. It is geared toward those with a sense of adventure in the culinary arena.
Ships can be pre-booked up to three years in advance. A new 56km motorway from Galway to Shannon Airport opened on October 5 2017 which brings Shannon International Airport to within 45mins drive of the port.
