Portsmouth International Port could be welcoming 150,000 per year during the next few years as an £18.7m project has been given the go-ahead.
This is a very exciting prospect for us and for the residents of Portsmouth as a successful cruise port would not only contribute to the council’s budget but improve employment, increase sales for tourist attractions, and make cruise travel more accessible.
The project will begin in November and will be led by construction firm Knights Brown to increase the size of the port so it can manage ships of up to 255m in length.
Mike Sellers, the port’s director said: “Portsmouth is in an enviable location for a cruise, with world-famous attractions and a dramatic waterfront, there are plenty of opportunities to grow the city’s share of the market.”
“More passengers will also drive demand for additional hotels, an increased spend in shops and restaurants, not to mention putting Portsmouth on the international map.”
The expansion could attract cruise ships from companies such as Crystal, Silverseas, Fred Olsen, Saga and CMV.
Portsmouth City Council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson said: “More passengers will also drive demand for additional hotels, an increased spend in shops and restaurants, not to mention putting Portsmouth o the international map.”
It is also an excellent opportunity for more people in Portsmouth and the surrounding area who have a disability to enjoy an accessible cruise with the help of Mobility at Sea.