Tag Archives: Port of Liverpool

Borealis Docks at Port of Cork to Wrap Up the Cruise Season

Posted on by
Reply

The Borealis from Fred. Olsen was the last cruise ship to call at Port of Cork for the 2022 cruise season last week, capping off a successful restart for the port that saw over 115,000 passengers and 90 vessels visit, according to a press release.

The cruise industry is estimated to contribute €70 million to the national economy and €14 million to local economies such as Cork annually. This year, 90 cruise ships docked in the Port of Cork and Bantry Bay Port, returning to pre-pandemic levels, according to the port.

“We made many strides in rebuilding the sector to pre-pandemic levels and the outlook for 2023 is even more positive – with in excess of 100 vessels scheduled to call to the Port of Cork so far,” said Conor Mowlds, chief commercial officer, Port of Cork Company.

Some COVID precautions and practices were still in place this season, with many ships operating at 75 per cent capacity. Prior to the pandemic, the Port of Cork had planned for 100 cruise ships per year, while in 2022 it received 12 first-time calls, bringing the total number of calls to 81.

“The atmosphere in the town when a ship is in is just electric – not only from the influx of passengers on board visiting Cobh but from the many people who visit from all over the country to see these ships up close. It has been especially beneficial for Cobh tourism and trade,” added Johanna Murphy, president of, the Cobh and Harbour Chamber.

The docking of the MSC Virtuosa, which made its maiden call on September 29, was one of the season’s highlights, as it became the largest vessel to dock in Cork this year.

Cruise Traffic Surges in Liverpool

Posted on by
Reply

Celebrity ship calls in Liverpool

Cruise traffic is up 40 percent in Liverpool this year, and looks to be up at least 20 percent again in 2020, according to Peter Murney, head of cruise and marine operations.

2019 will see 86 calls, according to the port’s schedule. Visiting vessels can look forward to berthing in the heart of the city, steps from Liverpool’s notable UNESCO World Heritage waterfront.

“We strive to exceed passenger expectations at every stage of their journey. We change perceptions by ensuring guests experience Liverpool as the modern, thriving, dynamic, cosmopolitan destination we know it to be,” Murney said.

“One of our challenges is that the berth is on a floating pontoon with a 10 meter tidal range so at times pedestrian access bridges can be very steep,” Murney explained. “We overcome this by providing mobility buses that transport guests direct from gangway to passenger lounge and back.”

Berth bookings open two years out, he added.

Among the goals is to build the port’s turnaround business, as a new cruise terminal will be open and operational for the 2022 season.

Liverpool’s Turnaround Business to Grow

Posted on by
Reply

The Crown Princess in Liverpool

“We see our turnaround business growing from 2021 once the new cruise terminal is fully operational and we have projected an increase in transit calls, but this is down to more vessels in the Irish seas over the next years,” said Peter Murney, head of cruise and maritime operations at the Liverpool Cruise Terminal.

The port is expecting around 57 ships this year, with projections calling for 70 in 2019, he said.

Highlights include inaugural visits from vessels from Viking, Seabourn, AIDA and FTI. Overnight customers include the Celebrity Eclipse and Hapag-Lloyd’s Europa. There is also the return of the Disney Magic.

The new terminal facility is due to be completed sometime in 2020, Murney said and will be able to accommodate turnarounds from vessels with up to 3,600 guests.

“The Port of Liverpool has an area of shallow water which we are working with the port to dredge. With environmental issues we are looking at all green options when building the new terminal; this includes cold ironing and LNG,” he noted.