UK port is now one of only a few on the English Channel that can handle 340-metre ships
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Portland Port has officially opened its newly extended cruise berth, making it one of only a few UK ports on the English Channel that can handle 340-metre-long vessels.
Marine construction specialists Red 7 Marine, TMS and CMP Thames all collaborated on the extension project, which involved building two berthing dolphins 100 metres apart. Each dolphin consists of a 1,200-tonne reinforced concrete platform set on seven steel piles driven into the sea bed. The dolphins are linked by walkways and are positioned to support ships being moored on the port’s two largest berths.
“This is a key investment for the port and demonstrates our commitment to the continued development of our infrastructure,” said Bill Reeves, CEO at Portland Port. “The berth extension enhances our ability to accommodate some of the largest cruise liners in service today, as well as those being launched over the next few years.”
Port staff, tenants and guests joined Christopher Langham, chairman of Portland Port Group, to watch as Richard Drax, MP for South Dorset, cut the ribbon to officially open the completed cruise berth on 11 April.
Holland America Line’s flagship Koningsdam is expected to be the first vessel to dock at the new berth on 11 May, followed by Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Magic on 23 May.