Liverpool is set to expand its cruise terminal to welcome larger cruise ships.
A report due to be given to the Cabinet tomorrow (9 January) will suggest Liverpool City Council purchases the temporary building it currently rents so it can extend the number of passengers it deals with.
In 2013 it was proposed that the former Cunard Building could become the permanent cruise terminal and the council said it will continue to look for permanent opportunities on the waterfront.
If approved the terminal would be able to deal with up to 1,800 passengers per ship with more floor space, indoor toilets and a permanent arrivals area.
Since opening as an embarkation and disembarkation port in 2012 the terminal has been deemed a huge success. This year 54 ships are expected to visit with 80,000 passengers, a 40% increase on 2014. This is up from 15 vessels and 27, 278 passengers in 2011.
This year’s visits will include Cunard’s Three Queens celebrations to mark its 175th anniversary.
Overall it is expected to generate £5.8 million to the city’s visit economy in 2015.
“We knew the turnaround facility would be a huge success and the increase in demand we have seen since it opened means that we are now pretty much at capacity,” said Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, Cabinet member for regeneration. “It makes economic sense for us to purchase the building as, even with the improvements we are carrying out, the cost is less than half the amount of continuing to rent it. This will put us in a position to continue the success of the cruise liner terminal while we look at options for a more permanent facility in the longer term.”
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