Work has begun on upgrading the Port of Southampton’s Ocean Cruise Terminal to help meet the continued growth in the cruise sector.
The £12m project, in partnership with P&O Cruises, will take just over a year to complete and includes a package of improvements to the terminal ahead of welcoming the next generation of P&O Cruises ships, in particular Iona, which will home-port in Southampton following her launch in May 2020.
Representatives from ABP, Carnival UK, P&O Cruises and contractors, GRAHAM, celebrate the start of construction work at Ocean Cruise Terminal
ABP Southampton director, Alastair Welch, said: “Cruising is a strong and growing industry. The ships that call in Southampton are increasing in size and we are investing significantly to accommodate future growth in the industry and to maintain our position as Northern Europe’s leading cruise port.
“We are pleased to be breaking-ground on this important project with P&O Cruises.”
Carnival UK president Josh Weinstein said: “This is an important step in preparing the Ocean Terminal for significant upgrades which will give our guests across all our brands as well as the smoothest, most efficient embarkation experience and the very best start to their holiday.”
The Port of Southampton currently welcomes more than two million passengers each year on more than 500 cruise calls, and each visit to the port generates more than £2m for the local economy.
