Cunard’s new Queen Anne vessel arrived on the cruise line’s non secular dwelling of Liverpool in a landmark second for International Ports Holding and Peel Ports Group’s new partnership for Liverpool Cruise Port, in response to a press launch.
The maiden name marked the primary main cruise ship arrival since International Ports signed a 50-year settlement in April with Peel Ports Group’s subsidiary, The Mersey Docks And Harbour Firm Ltd, to function providers at Liverpool Cruise Port.
Stephen Xuereb, Chief Working Officer at GPH mentioned: “We’re delighted to welcome the Queen Anne to its non secular dwelling right here in Liverpool. After we added the Liverpool Cruise Port to our community, our first cruise port right here within the UK, we set out our ambition to additional elevate the cruise expertise within the metropolis.
“Crucially, we wish to proceed growing Liverpool as a thriving vacation spot for the cruise trade, and the arrival of Cunard’s majestic new vessel is a big milestone for us as we embark on our first foray within the UK.”
David Huck, Chief Working Officer at Peel Ports Group mentioned: “We’re actually proud to see GPH start their tenure on the Port of Liverpool with similar to vital event, as we welcome this unbelievable ship to our metropolis.
“Because the Statutory Harbour Authority for the Port of Liverpool, we’re honoured to see the Queen Anne navigating safely via our waters, additional showcasing the port’s capabilities and cementing its place as one of many must-visit locations world wide.
“Marking the beginning of the cruise season with such a landmark second, we want the Queen Anne a profitable maiden voyage, as we put together and stay up for welcoming many extra main vessels sooner or later.”
To formally mark the event in what’s a long-standing maritime custom, Liverpool Port Director Phil Corridor and representatives from GPH and Liverpool Metropolis Council offered the vessel’s Captain with commemorative plaques.
The Queen Anne’s inauguration noticed performances from tenor Andrea Bocelli, The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and different artists, earlier than a bottle of champagne was smashed towards the vessel to indicate its official naming.
Topic to the granting of applicable permits and licenses, GPH plans to take a position as much as £25 million within the port’s infrastructure, doubling its operations and unlocking its future potential, the port operator mentioned in a press release. These plans embrace the addition of a brand new floating pontoon that can enhance capability and permit for the simultaneous berthing of two 300-metre ships and as much as 7,000 passengers a day.
Final 12 months the cruise port welcomed 102 cruise ships and over 186,000 passengers, with this set to extend to over 200,000 passengers within the 12 months forward and exceed 400,000 per 12 months.
