Thursday, April 18, 2024 - 13:52 by ce-press
Global Ports Holding (GPH) has signed a 50-year agreement with Peel Ports Group and Liverpool City Council (LCC) to operate the Liverpool Cruise Port.
Angie Redhead, head of cruise/city halls/events LCC, said at Seatrade Global in Miami last week: “This is a really, really big day. The return of passenger shipping to Liverpool has been a huge source of civic pride since the day we opened our new cruise berth back in 2007. I am so proud of the city. But our work is done. The second chapter of our maritime history now begins and thanks to GPH there will be two berths, which will just be completely transformative for Liverpool.”
Indeed, the plan is to invest up to £25 million (€29 million) into infrastructure, which will include a floating dock that will allow for the simultaneous berthing of two 300m ships and over 7,000 passengers a day.
A new terminal will be built with waterfront retail and hospitality outlets expanded both for passengers, land-based tourists and residents.
Mehmet Kutman, chairman and ceo GPH, said: "The addition of Liverpool Cruise Port, our first cruise port in the British Isles, to our network marks another important milestone in GPH's ongoing development and growth.
“I would like to thank Liverpool City Council and Peel Ports for their support throughout the process. Liverpool boasts a rich maritime heritage, and the GPH team looks forward to working with all stakeholders to further enhance the success of this remarkable destination.”
Last year, the city received 102 calls and 186,000 passengers. With the new infrastructure in place passenger numbers are anticipated to exceed 300,000.
