Global Port Holdings opens Liverpool base
The private cruise port operator has taken space within Peel Waters’ No12 Princes Dock, firming up its relationship with the city having signed a 50-year lease last year to operate a new cruise terminal.
Global Port Holdings has opened its first UK office outside London amid plans to invest £25m improving existing infrastructure at Liverpool Cruise Port and delivering a new terminal building.
The investment will see the addition of a new floating dock to boost capacity, enabling the simultaneous berthing of two 300-metre ships, as well as the new-build facility, which will feature “waterfront retail and hospitality offerings”.
These upgrades could see the number of passengers passing through Liverpool rise from 200,000 in 2024 to more than 300,000.
John Mawer, general manager for the UK at Global Ports Holding explained the rationale behind the decision to take space in Liverpool.
“Princes Dock is an ideal base for our Liverpool operations due to its strategic location close to the Liverpool Cruise Port and its vibrant, growing community.
The area offers excellent opportunities for the team to grow, and we look forward to being a part of the neighbourhood as we work to enhance the Liverpool Cruise Port and attract more visitors to the city.”
Liza Marco, senior asset manager at Liverpool Waters, said: “GPH’s decision to establish their operational headquarters here is a testament to the strength of Liverpool Waters as a world-class business location.
“Their investment in the Liverpool Cruise Port will not only enhance the visitor experience but also contribute to the continued revitalisation of the area.”
A very warm welcome and a great sign of confidence in the Cruise Ship sector in Liverpool creating more employment directly and indirectly
By Liverpolitis
That’s good news and hopefully soon we see some images of what ideas they have for the new cruise terminal, which I assume will be on the land and not in river. Good to hear too that there will be retail and hospitality provision, in addition we await news of the hotel developments that Peel are pursuing.
As regards the old wooden jetty I assume it is still basically sound but requires work to its decking in order to make it safe to walk on, and if so could be able to accommodate a few cafes and bars so people can sit and enjoy the river.
By Anonymous
GREAT NEWS
By Anonymous
The city cannot accommodate pax from two ships simultaneously. Where will all the coaches come from? Where will all the guides come from? William Brown St is choked now on cruiseship days, trying to unload at the cathedrals is not easy, even Liverpool Cathedral big though it is cannot take more tourists at the same time. Two ships at the same time is madness and if there is negative feedback from pax after their visit the ships will go elsewhere!
By Anonymous
@Anon 2.21pm, I`m sure GPH are able to manage the situation regarding organising coaches and sightseeing, as they are the biggest operator in the world, don`t you think you are getting a bit over dramatic about this.
As for docking 2 large cruise ships at once, if it wasn`t feasable then GPH wouldn`t do it, I have been in many port cities much smaller than Liverpool and seen 2 of more liners tied up at any one time eg Ajaccio in Corsica, and they cope.
By Anonymous
Didn’t take long for the nay-sayers to turn up. Ignore them: the city is plenty big enough to cope, pinchpoints or otherwise.
By Birket Boy
Fantastic news
By Anonymous
The City can handle two cruise ships everything will be okay.
By Professor Chucklebutty
To the ‘city cannot accommodate 2 ships comment…of course it can!! If little Mykonos can accommodate half a dozen cruise ships, I’m pretty sure Liverpool is more than capable of accommodating 2!
By Anonymous
We should be looking at getting 3 cruises in at a time one ending one starting and 1 visiting daily should be doubling the visitor numbers in the city
By Jason elliott
Excellent news for the Port and City of Liverpool. Once again a major boost to Liverpool One and surrounding catchment area… Hurrah..
By Anonymous
Great news what a sight 2 cruise ships lined up against the waterfront will be. In many cities they aren’t welcome but Liverpool is Maritime to the core.
By Anonymous
Well done all concerned,let’s be positive ,to my my mind,only the start,our maritme history is breathtaking,imagine passenge’s seeing Liverpool ‘s majestic skyline for the first time!,we are more than capable of making a magnificent success of this joint project,witness Eurvision deemed the best ever,come on Liverpool,”Life go’s on day after after day in its own special way,this time,cruise ships across the Mersey!
By Ralph Mitchell
Great News for the Port and the Liverpool City Region
By Rainhill Lad
Excellent news. It’s about time the city was brought up to scratch concerning its cruising facility. Liverpool must aim to be the ” Southampton Of The North ” with regard to future development
By Tercol
Liverpool’s raison d’etre remains that it is a port city – the largest deep-sea port on the west coast through which 45% of all the UK’s trade with the USA flows. Maritime is in our bones and this news is to be welcomed without reservation.
By More Anonymous than the others
If this saves me travelling to Southampton then great. There Arn’t many places though they can travel to from here sadly , mostly around the UK.
By Anonymous
I hope more cruises will depart from here, I hate driving to Southampton from the north fingers crossed
By Ash
Welcome to Liverpool GPH. You couldn’t have chosen a better place.
By Anonymous