By
Alex Smith |
The first section of a new seaport passenger boarding bridge (SPBB) has been installed on the West Wharf of Millbay Docks in Plymouth, UK, marking a milestone in the £23 million ($29.2 million) transformation project at the port.
When operational in 2025, the SPBB will help to streamline the embarkation and disembarkation process for foot passengers of Brittany Ferries and cruise vessels visiting Plymouth. The remaining sections are due to be installed in early 2025.
“We are delighted to be making good progress with the upgrade works at Millbay Docks, which will facilitate more freight and trade, supporting the wider Plymouth economy,” said Ashley Curnow, divisional port manager for Wales and the Southwest at ABP, the port’s operator. “These improvements will also enhance the passenger experience for Brittany Ferries customers and open new opportunities for the port’s cruise business, which is going from strength to strength. This improved infrastructure is a testament to ABP’s commitment to driving growth and sustainability at Millbay Docks.”
The £24 million project is intended to strengthen Plymouth’s offering for ferries and cruise vessels
The SPBB has been supplied by ADELTE, a Spanish engineering group based in Barcelona which specialises in the design and manufacture of SPBBs for cruise and ferry terminals. The first section of the bridge was transported from Santander in Spain onboard Brittany Ferries’ Pont Aven, while the remaining sections will arrive in Portsmouth, UK, before travelling by road to Plymouth.
"We are incredibly proud to contribute to this transformative project at Millbay Docks, which marks a significant milestone in enhancing both passenger experience and port infrastructure,” said Martin Westphal, group marketing director of ADELTE. “The SPBB, complete with enclosed walkways leading to quay level, is a state-of-the-art solution that reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation within the maritime sector. We are confident that this cutting-edge infrastructure will provide both cruise and ferry passengers with a smoother, more efficient boarding and disembarking experience, further solidifying Plymouth’s position as a key hub for cruise and ferry travel.”
Millbay Docks has been a hub for Brittany Ferries for over 40 years, with daily services to Roscoff in France and weekly services to Santander. The works at Millbay, which began in December 2023, are intended to secure the long-term future of the ferry terminal, improve its sustainability and improve its offering to the cruise market.
“We’re delighted to see this latest milestone in the construction of the passenger boarding bridge, as part of the wider upgrades to port infrastructure at Millbay Docks,” said Steve Lawrie, Plymouth port operations manager at Brittany Ferries. “Once complete, this state-of-the-art bridge will improve foot passenger access to our ships in Plymouth making boarding and disembarkation smoother, more comfortable, and more attractive. It’s a clear expression of our combined commitment with ABP and Plymouth City Council to offer the very best possible conditions for our passengers travelling through the Port of Plymouth.”
Plymouth has been a hub for Brittany Ferries for over 40 years
Other works at Millbay Docks have included the installation of 30 steel tubular piles, which means that the West Wharf now has a 60-metre area capable of accommodating 100-tonne cranes, significantly increasing its load capacity. Additional plans include the refurbishment of the passenger terminal building and implementation of traffic management measures to reduce processing times for inbound traffic.
“It is great to see this key port improvement sail in,” said Tudor Evans, Plymouth City Council leader. “Our recent port strategy emphasised the importance of our ports to the city’s economic life and of investing in its infrastructure so that they can continue to flourish well into the future, so it’s very satisfying to see this very physical example arrive. We signed a memorandum of understanding with ABP and Brittany Ferries pledging to work together more and this relationship is really bearing fruit.”
All works are scheduled to be completed by March 2025.