PORT OF SOUTHAMPTON CRUISES ON WITH INVESTMENT

PORT OF SOUTHAMPTON CRUISES ON WITH INVESTMENT
Associated British Ports (ABP) is set to invest over �0.5 million in extending the City Cruise Terminal at its Port of Southampton.The programme of works is due to commence in January 2005 and will be completed in time for the start of the 2005 cruise season, which promises to be a record year for the port with over 220 cruise calls already booked.

The extension works will see the number of check-in desks quadruple, from eight to 32, and the baggage hall more than double in size, with 3,180 sq m allocated for the storage of baggage.Other works will include the purchase of new x-ray machines, a passenger gangway and baggage-handling equipment.The terminal will also be expanded to provide additional long-stay car-park spaces, as well as increase the number of coach bays.

One of the first visitors to be welcomed to the City Cruise Terminal will be Royal Caribbean International�s (RCI) vessel Legend of the Seas, which is scheduled to make 13 calls to Southampton as part of RCI�s commitment to cruising from the UK.Other regular users of the terminal will include Fred Olsen Cruise Line, Saga Shipping and Thomson Cruises.

Commenting on the investment, Andrew Kent, ABP Port Director, Port of Southampton, said:

�The City Cruise Terminal has been an essential addition to the port�s growing cruise business.However, in order to accommodate the increased size of vessels calling at the port, it has now become necessary for us to extend the terminal further.ABP�s continuous investment in cruise facilities at Southampton reaffirms the port�s position as the cruise capital of the UK.�

ABP invested �1.5 million in the original construction of the City Cruise Terminal and work was completed in August 2003.The terminal was officially opened by the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mary Fagan, on 14 August 2003.

22nd September 2004

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