SCH extends its operations into Dover

Thursday, November 18, 2021 - 11:01 by ce-press

Cruising operations have steadily returned to full swing for SCH and its sister companies during 2021. This year the number of calls for SCH stevedoring services, ranging from mooring to baggage and stores in Southampton, Liverpool and Portsmouth (where SCH operates under the banner of Southern Maritime Services/SMS), have numbered approximately 220.

The company’s network of ports has grown this year with the addition of Dover, where it now provides valet parking services for cruise passengers through subsidiary Cruise and Passenger Services (CPS), numbering an additional 170 calls.

The strict regulations covering cruising have meant 2021 has been a challenging year and considerable work has been completed to ensure that port handling operations comply with full Covid protocols.

SCH, and sister companies CPS and SMS, have worked closely with cruise shipping lines to keep passengers safe during port transit operations, with each line requiring a tailored approach to meet the protocols.

Although sailings have been largely restricted to round UK voyages, new callers have been added to the market with SCH securing work to handle Disney Cruise Line’s first series of ex-UK cruises and SMS handling the inaugural programme of cruises by Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady from Portsmouth.

SCH director Lee Davis commented: “It’s fair to say 2021 has been a cruise year like no other but we have worked through it by coordinating closely with ports and cruiseship operators to deliver the service required. Adapting our operations to the new environment has also given us a valuable insight into how we can better serve our customers in future.”

SCH extends its operations into Dover

(c) SCH

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