By
Alex Smith |
Global Ports Holding (GPH) has signed a 50-year agreement with The Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, a subsidiary of Peel Ports Group, to operate cruise services at Liverpool Cruise Port in the UK.
GPH plans to invest up to £25 million ($31.7 million) into the port’s infrastructure. This will include the addition of a new floating dock to increase capacity and allow for the simultaneous berthing of two 300-metre ships. The investment will also see the construction of a new terminal building, featuring waterfront retail and hospitality offerings available for both cruise passengers and residents.
"The addition of Liverpool Cruise Port, our first cruise port in the British Isles, to our network marks another important milestone in GPH's ongoing development and growth,” said Mehmet Kutman, chairman and CEO of Global Ports Holding. “I would like to thank Liverpool City Council and Peel Ports for their support throughout the process. Liverpool boasts a rich maritime heritage, and the GPH team looks forward to working with all stakeholders to further enhance the success of this remarkable destination.”
Executives from GPH, Peel Ports Group and Liverpool City Council met at the cruise terminal in Liverpool to mark the signing of the agreement.
(From left) David Huck of Peel Ports Group, Mehmet Ali, chief strategy officer of GPH, Andrew Lewis of Liverpool City Council, Stephen Xuereb, chief operating officer of GPH
“We are proud to be embarking on a new strategic partnership with GPH as it takes over operations at the Liverpool Cruise Terminal,” said David Huck, chief operating officer at Peel Ports Group. “Liverpool City Council’s stewardship of the Terminal over the last two decades has truly transformed the City into a thriving cruise tourism destination. We see this new chapter as an opportunity for us to honour that legacy. We look forward to making that vision a reality alongside GPH through a strategic partnership and our combined maritime and cruise expertise, as well as to exploring other potential opportunities as part of the wider Peel Ports Group portfolio.”
Liverpool Cruise Port received 102 cruise ships and over 186,000 passengers in 2023, with this number expected to increase to over 200,000 passengers in 2024. Annual passenger numbers are anticipated to rise to over 300,000 following the completion of the infrastructure improvements.
“Liverpool City Council is delighted to have helped enable this historic agreement between Peel Ports and GPH, said Andrew Lewis, chief executive of Liverpool City Council. “Responsibility for Liverpool’s cruise operations now passes to a world-leading operator, with ambitious plans to grow Liverpool’s position as an excellent cruise and tourism destination. We look forward to working closely with GPH to support their ambitions, and to extending a welcome to many more visitors to Liverpool.”