Portland Port predicts record rise in cruise ships

 DORSET is welcoming thousands of tourists to its shores as Portland Port continues to broaden its appeal as a cruise destination for worldwide operators this summer. But the port is not resting on its laurels and the focus has already moved on to 2012 and beyond as Portland Port tries to establish itself firmly in the minds of the cruise industry planners.

 

Portland is already popular as a cruise destination because it offers operators the chance to line up passenger excursions to a number of unique Unesco World Heritage sites - Stonehenge, Bath and the Jurassic Coast. In addition there are many of those quintessentially English attractions such as castles, stately homes, museums, country gardens and golf courses.

 

Last year, the Port attracted nearly 8,000 visitors after winning contracts with cruise firms such as Holland America Line, Crystal Cruises, Oceania Cruises and Phoenix Reisen. A roll-call of prestigious vessels is also lined up to call in this year. This includes: Sea Cloud Cruises, Saga, Cruise and Maritime Voyages, Peter Deilmann and Hebridean Island Cruises.

 

MS Deustchland called in to Portland Port on Saturday, 16 July 2011. The Port's Commercial Manager, Ian McQuade, said: 'The MS Deutschland is always such a majestic sight when she docks next to the Isle of Portland. We arranged for German language speakers to be on hand to greet the passengers in case they needed extra information about Weymouth and Portland.

'We know from our meetings with international cruise operators that this is very important to their passengers, and we believe it is one of the facilities that helps Portland Port attract cruise ships to Dorset in the first place. Passengers went on excusions to places around the Jurassic Coast and further afield, whilst those choosing not to take an excursion made use of the complimentary shuttle bus in to Weymouth. We know that residents and businesses in Dorset and beyond were delighted to welcome them to these shores.'

He added: 'Getting Portland on the radar of industry giants such as these operators is a crucial boost to the South West economy.

 

'Operators are increasingly recognising that Portland Port can handle cruise vessels up to 300m loa at berth. We are currently overseeing a £5 million refurbishment of the Queen's Pier so it too can handle larger ships.

 'Portland is well placed close to the main English Channel shipping lanes making it easy to incorporate into all manner of cruises whether they are traditional Round Britain cruises or small taster cruises in the Channel, itineraries centred on North West Europe or transit cruises between the Mediterranean and the Baltic.

'In addition to the port's own capabilities we are also very fortunate to be surrounded by attractive and appealing destinations for cruise guests to visit. It is this combination which is leading to more and more cruise lines looking to include Portland Port in their plans for the future.'

 

Plans for 2012 are already well advanced and it is anticipated that there will be further exciting developments with regards to the companies choosing to visit Portland. Mr. McQuade commented 'I do not want to give too much away at this early stage but I am hopeful that 2012 will be another record year for the Port'. And looking beyond that discussions have already started regarding plans for 2013.

 

'Cruise operators are increasingly choosing us because we have the facilities in place and proven capability to handle large cruise vessels, plus the region offers their passengers so much. It's great to see the investment we've made in the Port being recognised by these luxurious world-class tour companies.'

 

A list of this year's cruise liners calling at Portland Port is available on the Port's website at http://bit.ly/ohe0OI

 

PHOTO CAPTION: MS Deutschland sails into Portland Port on Saturday 16 July 2011

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

 

To interview Ian McQuade please contact James Fenton or Emily Pykett at Watershed PR: 01308 420785.

 

Previously a naval dockyard for over 150 years, Portland Harbour is now a thriving and successful commercial facility. It still maintains a close relationship with the past through its ongoing contract to support the RFA, as well as being home to the activities of Global Marine and Portland Bunkers International. It has over 4,000 acres of water at depths of up to 15m (C.D.); and provides vessel services from long term lay-ups to brief maintenance calls, luxury cruise liner docking facilities to industrial cargo shipments.

 

The tariff and general Portland Harbour Authority information can be viewed at http://www.portland-port.co.uk/

 

·        Portland Port has over 2,000 metres of alongside berths and 11.6 metres (C.D.) depth of water at the deepest alongside berth.

·        Berthing for vessels up to 300 metres (subject to Harbour Master's approval).

·        11 designated anchorages are within the 2,000-acre inner harbour. Six designated anchorages are within the 2,500 acre Outer Harbour.

·        A width of 210 metres and depth of over 12.6 metres (C.D.) at the entrance of the harbour mean that there are few vessel beam, lock, or air draft restriction.

 

ENDS