Tuesday, June 25, 2024 - 10:09 by ce-press
In May 1840 Liverpool played host to Cunard’s first transatlantic crossing. The city was also the home of the company’s headquarters for 128 years.
On June 3, Cunard’s newbuilding, Queen Anne, arrived at the cruiseline’s spiritual home in a landmark moment for Global Ports Holding Plc (GPH) and Peel Ports Group’s (PPG) new partnership for Liverpool Cruise Port.
This maiden call marks the first major arrival since GPH signed a 50-year agreement in April with PPG’s subsidiary, The Mersey Docks And Harbour Company Ltd, to operate services at Liverpool Cruise Port.
Stephen Xuereb, coo GPH, said: "When we added the Liverpool Cruise Port [formerly Cruise Liverpool] to our network, our first cruise port here in the UK, we set out our ambition to further elevate the cruise experience in the city.” While David Huck, coo PPG, said: “We’re really proud to see GPH begin their tenure at the Port of Liverpool with such a significant occasion, as we welcome this incredible ship to our city.”
Subject to the granting of appropriate permits and licenses, GPH plans to invest up to £25 million (€29.5 million) in the port’s infrastructure. John Mawer, general manager CPL, says: “GPH’s intention is to optimise its share of the market. We believe that by increasing capacity from one to two berths and building new shoreside infrastructure, we will be able to grow our calls by at least 60 a year. We are in the proposal stage so there are no specific details but it will be a berth extension.”
In 2023, there were 102 calls with 100 scheduled this year and 115 are estimated for 2025. The economic impact to the region is about £20 million a year on passenger spend ashore.
For suppliers, it is business as usual despite GPH being at the helm, explains Mawer who continues to manage operations and provide the knowhow and consistency necessary for a seamless transition. “From an operational point of view little has changed, although there are some administrative differences.”
In an unusual move, the City of Liverpool was named as Queen Anne’s Godparent in recognition of the longstanding history. The christening ceremony included performances from tenor Andrea Bocelli and The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
Representing the city were five Liverpool icons: former Spice Girl and author Melanie C; broadcaster and community leader Ngunan Adamu; local restaurant entrepreneur Natalie Haywood; Liverpool music and cultural legend Jayne Casey; and British Olympian heptathlon athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson.
