PORTLAND Port is set to start work on a new berth extension so it can accommodate some of the biggest cruise ships in the world.

Following a lengthy planning process, the board at Portland Port has finalised plans for the extension of the port’s primary cruise berth, with works scheduled to start in spring this year.

Portland is one of just three ports on the south coast of the UK that can already handle vessels up to 300m LOA (length overall) alongside.

The new facility, which will be finished in time for the 2017 season, will further strengthen the port's position by increasing this capability to berth vessels in excess of 340m LOA alongside.

Ian McQuade, General Manager – Commercial, at Portland Port said: “We are lucky to have minimum water depths of 9.6m on our main cruise berth, now with the berth extension we will be able handle ships in excess of 340m LOA, putting us in a very unique group of ports along the English Channel.

"When we add this to our proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Stonehenge, Bath and the Jurassic Coast, along with easy access to the many attractions of the beautiful English countryside, we feel we will be very well positioned to continue to serve an ever increasing range of cruise line customers”.

Whilst Portland will witness a small dip in passenger numbers and ship calls this year, the port is still excited about the prospects of two flagships from key players in the cruise industry visiting the port for the first time in 2016.

The ‘Koningsdam’ and ‘Mein Schiff 5’ from Holland America Lines and the TUI Group respectively are both just shy of 300m long and together are expected to bring approximately 5,000 passengers into Portland.

This year will also see the Saga Sapphire visiting the port for the first time, with regular customers Holland America, Costa and Phoenix Reisen returning to Portland for another year.

“Cruise visits are down across a number of UK ports in for a variety of reasons. That said, 2017 is shaping up to be a good year with passenger numbers back to, and indeed, exceeding previous levels. We are continuing to work very hard at securing a promising future for Portland as a cruise destination.”, said Ian McQuade.

The cruise berth extension and the forthcoming arrival of cruise line flagships in 2016 is a good indicator for the future of Portland Port and its cruise programme.

As the cruise ships sailing the world continue to grow in size the new cruise berth will allow Portland to accommodate some of the biggest cruise ships in operation.

The future allows for more passengers to visit Portland and experience quintessential England at its finest, award winning beaches and the World Heritage Site, The Jurassic Coast in all its glory.