CRUISE line operators from around the world are queuing up to make Portland a major international terminal.

Following a successful visit by top cruise line executives, Portland Port has reached agreement with three luxury operators.

German-run Deilmann Cruises and Holland America cruise lines have pledged to send ships in the next two years.

And one of the world's largest privately owned luxury yachts - The World - has promised to visit during the Olympics.

Portland Port has also confirmed ambitious plans to run a shuttle train service to London for visitors to the 2012 Games.

The idea is that over the next decade the port will grow to rival Southampton as a major cruise line destination.

And if the transport links are secured the port could even be marketed as a 'London West' destination.

John Healy, business development manager at Portland Port said last month's Seatrade Cruise Forum had been an unqualified success.

"I think everything that came out of the forum was positive," he said.

"We were assured by a representative from Deilmann that they would send their ship the Deutschland on two visits and Holland America are looking at 2009.

"We actually went to Miami to talk to the people who own The World.

"It is a resident-owned ship that travels around the globe and they said they could come for the Olympics.

"If you imagine the money bracket these people are in then you can see the potential of bringing them to Portland.

"We are looking at developing the port into a major competitor for Southampton."

The Seatrade Forum was organised by Destination South West, a group set up to increase day visits and turnaround calls at 10 ports in the region, including Portland.

The long-term objective of Portland Port is to attract ships carrying up to 2,000 passengers.

Mr Healy said: "We are trying to sell ourselves as London West.

"One of the key things we talked about at the forum was to charter trains from Weymouth to London.

"That would open up Portland as competition to Dover and Southampton for London visits.

"One idea we have had is to link the port to a major hotel in Weymouth.

"If we can get a shuttle service from London with a 650-passenger turnaround we can get them to report to the hotel and take them down to the ship, 250 at a time.

He said Portland Port was also considering using a water taxi service as a link between Weymouth and Portland harbours.

"During the forum the executives stayed at Corfe Castle and we took them by boat from Weymouth to Portland.

"It was a tremendous success and they could see the link between the mainland and the two harbours."