Liverpool Cracks Cruise Trade with Construction of New Terminal
Work has commenced on Liverpool’s new cruise liner terminal which is due to be completed by May 2012. For the first time, cruise ships will be able to leave and return from Liverpool rather than just being a port of call along the way.
The new terminal building is being built in front of the iconic Liver building on Princes Parade. Including a temporary customs and baggage building, this cruise terminal will finally allow cruise enthusiasts to set sail from and return home to Liverpool.
Liverpool City Council, the primary funders for this new project, has earmarked £9 million to support the cruise terminal. The Council took financial control of the project after an ongoing row with the Coalition Government over whether central government money should be used to fund such a construction.
The project, with its aim of bringing cruises back to Liverpool and creating a proper terminal, has been a key priority of the Council for a number of years. Council Leader Joe Anderson, said: “I promised that we would bring cruise liners back to the city. I have kept that promise – cruise liners are coming back to Liverpool!”
“Now we need more than one berth, and we need to develop an iconic cruise liner terminal building to cement Liverpool as a leading cruise liner destination. It is right and proper that a city with such a proud maritime heritage as Liverpool is able to have big vessels stopping and starting in the river.”
Liverpool has had a long history associated with cruise ships. White Star Liners, the owner of the ill fated Titanic had its head office in Liverpool and as a result the famous ship carried the City’s name. By building this new terminal, the Council hopes to bring back famous liners to the city.
The reasons for wanting to bring cruise liners back to Liverpool aren’t purely sentimental; the Council is has also keen to highlight the economic benefits the new terminal can provide. Until now, there had been no easily accessible cruise terminal in the North West, with Southampton still acting as the focal point for the majority of cruise passengers embarking on a cruise from the UK.
Liverpool Council hopes that the new terminal will lead to the city capturing around 5% share of the expanding cruise holiday market and increase this market share year on year. This will give a much needed boost to the local economy.
Already 20 ‘day call’ ships are scheduled to dock in Liverpool with 30,000 passengers for the 2012 cruise season bringing in as much as £6 million to the City’s economy.
The first vessel, the ‘Ocean Countess’, is scheduled to turn around in Liverpool for 29th May with a further 12 visits planned for the cruises 2012 season. The Council plans to expand the usage of the terminal out to ferries carrying passengers to and from the Isle of Man.
Image Source: www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2603352
The new terminal building is being built in front of the iconic Liver building on Princes Parade. Including a temporary customs and baggage building, this cruise terminal will finally allow cruise enthusiasts to set sail from and return home to Liverpool.
Liverpool City Council, the primary funders for this new project, has earmarked £9 million to support the cruise terminal. The Council took financial control of the project after an ongoing row with the Coalition Government over whether central government money should be used to fund such a construction.
The project, with its aim of bringing cruises back to Liverpool and creating a proper terminal, has been a key priority of the Council for a number of years. Council Leader Joe Anderson, said: “I promised that we would bring cruise liners back to the city. I have kept that promise – cruise liners are coming back to Liverpool!”
“Now we need more than one berth, and we need to develop an iconic cruise liner terminal building to cement Liverpool as a leading cruise liner destination. It is right and proper that a city with such a proud maritime heritage as Liverpool is able to have big vessels stopping and starting in the river.”
Liverpool has had a long history associated with cruise ships. White Star Liners, the owner of the ill fated Titanic had its head office in Liverpool and as a result the famous ship carried the City’s name. By building this new terminal, the Council hopes to bring back famous liners to the city.
The reasons for wanting to bring cruise liners back to Liverpool aren’t purely sentimental; the Council is has also keen to highlight the economic benefits the new terminal can provide. Until now, there had been no easily accessible cruise terminal in the North West, with Southampton still acting as the focal point for the majority of cruise passengers embarking on a cruise from the UK.
Liverpool Council hopes that the new terminal will lead to the city capturing around 5% share of the expanding cruise holiday market and increase this market share year on year. This will give a much needed boost to the local economy.
Already 20 ‘day call’ ships are scheduled to dock in Liverpool with 30,000 passengers for the 2012 cruise season bringing in as much as £6 million to the City’s economy.
The first vessel, the ‘Ocean Countess’, is scheduled to turn around in Liverpool for 29th May with a further 12 visits planned for the cruises 2012 season. The Council plans to expand the usage of the terminal out to ferries carrying passengers to and from the Isle of Man.
Image Source: www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2603352
