The Port of Cork hopes to increase its cruise business to 75 liner visits a year over the next three years, , a senior company executive has revealed.
The increase in business will provide a multi-million euro boost to the local economy and comes after a major upgrading of cruise terminal facilities at Cobh.
Port of Cork Commercial Manager, Capt Michael McCarthy said that the €1.5 million upgrading of its Cobh Cruise Terminal liner last year means that Cobh can now accommodate larger cruise liners with a total of 58 liners due to visit the port between April and December.
“We are very pleased with the number of calls for 2016 and, the fact that we have some new customers this year, shows more and more cruise companies are considering Cobh as part of their cruising route,” said Capt McCarthy following the visit of this year’s first liner, the MV Balmoral.
“Following the investment last year, the Port of Cork can now accommodate the larger liners or Quantum class ships without any restrictions. It is our ambition as a port company to attract these ships and increase our cruise calls to 75 per year over the next three years.”
According to Capt McCarthy, over 100,000 passengers and crew will arrive in the region between April and December. The MV Caribbean Princess will make ten visits to Cobh during the year.
Capt McCarthy said that a study had found that the cruise liner business in Cork contributes over €4million annually to the local economy and this is set to grow as more ships visit over the coming three years, which will be a welcome boost for businesses in Cork city and county.
He pointed out that the benefit is being felt at both ends of the county as this year will see the Port of Cork’s Bantry Bay subsidiary welcome three cruise liners to the area with one ship, MV Albatross visiting both Bantry and Cobh, thus increasing the spin-off benefits of the traffic.
“This shows the connection between the ports and the joined up promotion of both regions to the cruise companies,” said Capt McCarthy, who revealed that the Port of Cork had recently supplied a small truck to Cobh Tidy Towns volunteers to help create a good impression with visitors.
“The truck will enable the Cobh Tidy Towns team to improve their service within the area and carry out bigger clean up and landscaping jobs around the town”.