By
Alex Smith |
Global Ports Holding (GPH) has signed a 50-year agreement with Clydeport Operations, a subsidiary of Peel Ports Group, to operate Greenock Cruise Port.
Under the lease agreement, GPH will provide cruise services at the Scottish port. It will focus on enhancing cruise operations and attracting more passengers, aiming to stimulate economic growth for the local community and create new business operations in the region.
“We are delighted to welcome Greenock Cruise Port into the Global Ports Holding network as our first port in Scotland,” said Mehmet Kutman, chairman and CEO of Global Ports Holding. “This marks an exciting milestone in our UK expansion, reinforcing our commitment to growing cruise tourism across the region. Scotland is a world-renowned destination, and we look forward to working closely with local stakeholders to enhance Greenock’s cruise facilities, drive sustainable growth, and deliver exceptional experiences for cruise passengers visiting this remarkable country.”
Greenock Cruise Port welcomed over 80 cruise calls in 2024 and numbers are expected to rise further in 2025 and 2026.
“Today’s announcement is another huge milestone for the transformation of Greenock Cruise Port and further signifies the West Coast of Scotland’s status as a UK destination of choice,” said David Huck, chief operating officer at Peel Ports Group. “This historic agreement with Global Ports Holding is testament to the work our teams, together with Inverclyde Council, have done to position Greenock firmly on the map. We are very proud of that achievement and look forward to seeing Greenock Cruise Port go from strength to strength under GPH’s management and investment plans.”
Located on the banks of the River Clyde, 25 miles west of Glasgow, Greenock provides access to Scotland’s cultural and natural landmarks. The port is featured on itineraries exploring Scotland, Northern Europe and the Baltic regions.
“This is an incredibly exciting announcement for Greenock,” said Martin McCluskey, MP for Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West. “I was pleased to meet with Global Ports Holding this week in Parliament and to welcome this exciting announcement. I have already discussed with the company their plans to ensure more opportunities flow to local people and local businesses. My cruise tourism roundtable a few weeks ago showed the appetite of local businesses to work with the industry and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with local traders and the cruise industry to make the most of this opportunity.”