By
Rebecca Gibson |
The Scottish port of Orkney is to handle a record 76 cruise ships and up to 65,000 passengers and 20,000 crew during the 2014 season, which opens in less than eight weeks’ time.
Orkney’s port, which generates more than £3 million in economic revenue per year, is scheduled to handle two large cruise ships a day on four occasions this season, with one ships berthing in Kirkwall Bay and the other at Hatston Pier. In addition, three vessels carrying up to 6,5000 passengers between them will dock in Kirkwall on 5 July.
“Ensuring the passengers have a memorable visit to Orkney means a big team effort,” Brian Archibald, Orkney Islands Council’s head of marine services, engineering and transportation. “Everyone involved will be working hard to make this another successful season.”
Next year is also set to be a busy year, with 50 vessels and 66,000 passengers already scheduled to call, while eight ships carrying around 24,000 guests have reserved berths for 2016.