Portland Port has embarked on a major programme of works to serve the ever-growing number of visiting cruise lines.

Work on the first of the new mooring bollards is expected to commence shortly.

When completed the extended berth will enable the port to handle some of the largest cruise ships.

Ian McQuade, general manager, said: “Portland Port has seen record figures for cruise calls and passengers in both 2013 and 2014 and already 2015 is looking good, with a berth capable of handling ships up to 340m LOA from 2016.”

The port will be present at the forthcoming Cruise Shipping Miami event on the Cruise Britain stand to promote the new berth.

“This event is the major showcase of the year for the cruise industry and will give us the opportunity to brief all the cruise lines face to face on the berth extension.

“Planning will soon be starting for 2016 and we want to ensure that Portland Port gets full consideration for inclusion in many 2016 itineraries,” said Mr. McQuade.

Key features of the development include:

• Capability to handle ships up to 340m LOA

• Construction of new, heavy duty, mooring and breasting dolphins

• Addition of a new suite of 150t mooring bollards on existing berth and on new dolphins

• High capacity pneumatic floating fenders

• Minimum water depth 9.6m

• Large service apron

• Entry into service 2016

 

From dockyard to harbour...

Previously a naval dockyard for over 150 years, Portland Harbour is now a thriving and successful commercial facility.

It supports the RFA, and is home to the activities of Global Marine and Portland Bunkers International.

It has almost 2,500 hectares of water at depths of up to 15m and provides vessel services from long term lay-ups to brief maintenance calls, luxury cruise liner docking facilities to industrial cargo shipments.

It has over 2,000 metres of alongside berths and 11.6 metres depth of water at the deepest alongside berth.