Ship will call at the £16.5 million multi-purpose jetty at Holmsgarth North on 12 June 2017
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Star will be the first cruise ship to berth at Lerwick Harbour’s new £16.5 million (US$20.6 million) multi-purpose jetty at Holmsgarth North on 12 June 2017.
Completed in late 2016, the outside arm of the Holmsgarth North jetty will initially be used for vessels up to 230 metres in length and Viking ships will be among a number to use it this summer. The Scottish port authority has commissioned a towable unit that can be used to provide a meet-and-greet station and an information point for visitors.
“Holmsgarth North is significant addition to our capacity to welcome cruise ships alongside at a time when the port is attracting more passengers,” said Victor Sandison, senior commercial executive at Lerwick Port Authority.
Lerwick expects to host a record 62,000 passengers this season, up 22% from 2016. Although the port will host 76 ships – three fewer than last year – there will be an 18.2% rise in their total gross tonnage (2,591,975gt), which is a new record.
Opening with a call from AIDA Cruises’ AIDAvita on 14 April, Lerwick’s 2017 cruise season will feature nine maiden calls, including Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ new flagship, Columbus, on 9 July. July and August will be the busiest months with 22 and 21 calls respectively. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jade will close the season on 27 September.
Three new records are likely to be set in 2018. Currently, the port is scheduled to welcome at least 96,000 passengers on 90 ships with a total tonnage of 4,132,710gt. This includes 10 maiden calls.
“Continuing growth in the international cruise industry, our record bookings and our positive approach to industry requirements, including expanded infrastructure, all augur well for the port and the Shetland tourism sector in the future,” said Sandison.