Scotland’s Greenock Ocean Terminal is making ready for the busiest 12 months ever with 91 cruise ships scheduled to reach all through 2023.
In keeping with a press launch, this quantity represents an increase of over 25 p.c in comparison with final 12 months. Greenock will welcome a complete of 150,000 passengers and 38,000 crew members over the course of this 12 months.
Jim McSporran, Clydeport port director at Peel Ports stated: “We’re extraordinarily proud to be asserting a report cruise 12 months for Greenock Ocean Terminal.
“Welcoming cruise liners to Greenock is a vastly essential facet of our port providing and we’re delighted that we proceed to draw and develop cruise numbers to the area.
“This enhance in tourism will profit customer sights and companies throughout Inverclyde and central Scotland, and we sit up for welcoming these guests throughout the season.”
“In an effort to showcase the port because the cruise gateway to the West Coast of Scotland, this 12 months we’re additionally investing in a promotional marketing campaign to function on the world cruise business’s key annual gathering within the U.S.”
This 12 months would be the second full season for the port since COVID-19 put a halt on the cruise business. The port expects the completion of a brand new £19.2 million cruise ship customer heart this 12 months. The venture is led by Inverclyde Council and is a part of the £1 billion Glasgow Metropolis Area Metropolis Deal funded by the Scottish and UK governments.
Councillor Stephen McCabe, chief of Inverclyde Council, stated: “The cruise sector right here in Inverclyde continues to go from energy to energy and I’m delighted that this 12 months is about to be the busiest but with report numbers of ships and passengers, in addition to a considerable variety of crew visiting these shores.
“It’s well timed that with 2023 shaping as much as be a bumper 12 months for cruise calls that the ending touches are being placed on our new state-of-the-art Greenock cruise ship customer heart which can present our company from around the globe with a first-class welcome to Inverclyde and the west coast of Scotland.
“Whereas we are able to all sit up for seeing among the largest and most luxurious ships grace these shores over the approaching months, with upwards of 200,000 individuals anticipated onboard these vessels there are additionally financial alternatives there for native companies as guests look to find Inverclyde and the various nice issues now we have to supply.”
Final 12 months, Clydeport welcomed 71 cruise calls, together with. Among the many ships to go to the port this 12 months are the MSC Virtuosa, one of many greatest ships to dock on the terminal.
