A new agreement has been signed to secure the future of Liverpool City Council in a major deal announced on Wednesday 3rd April between Global Ports Holding Plc (GPH) and Peel Ports Group.
The agreement will see the world’s largest independent cruise port operator operate services at Liverpool Cruise Terminal for a period of 50 years. Crucially, it will see GPH invest some £25 million in upgrading the terminal’s infrastructure, improving its operational capability and helping it maximise future growth potential.
Cruise industry’s major contribution to Liverpool
Commenting, Ruth Wood, Chief Executive of Mersey Maritime, said “The cruise industry makes a massive contribution to the prosperity of the city of Liverpool and has gone from strength to strength in recent years under the stewardship of Liverpool City Council."
Ruth Wood adds, "The figures speak for themselves: since 2008 the city has welcomed over 800 vessels and one million passengers; representing a contribution of £110 million to the city’s visitor economy.”
She continues, “As the representative body for the maritime sector in the Liverpool City Region, Mersey Maritime knows the crucial importance that cruise makes on so many levels, from its significant tourism impact through to all the people employed by the industry here.”
Agreement to secure the future of Liverpool City Council
Ruth Wood adds, “We are particularly delighted to see the significant investment this agreement brings with it. This includes the addition of a new floating pontoon to increase capacity and allow for the simultaneous berthing of two 300-metre ships and up to 7,000 passengers a day. This has the potential to be truly transformational.”
She further said, “This news comes just a few weeks away from another historic event which will take place on the River Mersey, the naming ceremony for Cunard’s newest vessel, the Queen Anne, on 3rd June.”
Mersey Maritime congratulates team behind the agreement
Ruth Wood continues, “Our river and our city are synonymous with all aspects of the diverse maritime sector, from our ports to shipbuilding to professional services and all the other parts that make it so important to the region.”
She adds, “Mersey Maritime is delighted to add our congratulations to the team behind this important agreement and look forward to a really fantastic cruise season this year, and for many years to come.”
