The Port of Lisbon, Portugal, is investing in a new quay of 670m in length which will be linked to the Santa Apolonia quay of 400m, according to Manuela Patricio, cruise and nautical deparment. The first phase will be in use next year for smaller ships with the final phase being concluded in 2011. The depth will be 12m and there will be no restrictions in the turning basin. A new terminal is also to be built in the same area.
Homeporting operations at the port increased this year with the weekly turnround of Pullmantur from April to November which will be maintained in 2010.
Total calls numbered 298 carrying 408,000 passengers in 2009 with 316 calls and 480,000 passengers already confirmed for next year. In Lisbon the booking system is first come first served says Ms Patricio.
“We have three cruise terminals and so we manage to accommodate all the cruiseships the best way, bearing in mind their depths, length and capacity combining them with the quay and cruise terminal features and also the ship’s operation,” she explains.
