Phase one of cruise terminal upgrade complete

Phase one has included infrastructure upgrades on the quayside, with 18 new 150t bollards replacing the old 50t bollards. The terminal interior has also been significantly improved ready to accommodate an increase in passenger capacity. P&O Cruises’ Azura was the first ship to berth at the renovated terminal.

Alastair Welch, director at ABP Southampton, said: “Cruise is a growing industry and we continue to make these significant investments which are crucial to ensuring we are in a good position to welcome the larger ships and the increase in passenger numbers.”

The project, in partnership with P&O Cruises, was launched in October last year and will be completed in early 2020.

In May 2020, the cruise line’s newest flagship, Iona, will arrive in Southampton from Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg.

Iona, which will homeport in Southampton, is the first British cruise ship to be powered by LNG. The vessel is the first of two new ships of the XL class for P&O Cruises, with the next ship on order to be delivered in 2022.

By Rebecca Jeffrey