Work begins on €500,000 upgrade of liner terminal

WORK has started on a €500,000-plus upgrade of the liner terminal in Cobh, Co Cork, which will berth 54 visiting liners including Cunard’s “three queens” this year.

Captain Michael McCarthy, the Port of Cork’s commercial manager, said a recent underwater survey had revealed damage to the quay, which is more than 120 years old.

“The damage was caused by the high-powered bow thrusters on liners and we will be putting concrete ‘mattresses’ underwater which will take the impact of these thrusters in the future.

“These are necessary improvements needed to re-strengthen the quay to ensure the large cruise vessels are handled efficiently and safely while in port.”

The work will be completed before then end of the month and well in advance of the arrival of the season’s first cruise liner, Queen Victoria, on April 11.

“More than 110,000 passengers and crew are expected to visit the region during the season, offering a welcome boost to local tourism,” Capt McCarthy said.

The Queen Mary II will visit later in the year and the highlight of the season will be the arrival of the Queen Elizabeth, which will be making its maiden voyage around Britain and Ireland, docking in Cobh on August 5.

Over the past five years, the Port of Cork has invested more than €5 million in its dedicated cruise berth in Cobh. Direct access to the quayside for passengers, along with the accessibility of trains to Cork and the historic town of Cobh and its attractions on their doorstep, makes Cobh an attractive port of call.

“In a recent study carried out on the cruise business in Ireland, the Port of Cork was rated the highest in terms of its welcome and look of the port, compared to other Irish ports,” said Capt McCarthy.

He said the port authorities had ambitious plans to grown cruise liner business, bringing the number of visits up to 75 per year within the next five years.

While the structural work is being carried out on the quayside, other planning goes on behind the scenes in order to prepare for these luxurious liners.

Capt McCarthy said the Port of Cork, through its marketing initiative Cork Cruise, works throughout the year to promote the region as a cruise destination directly to the cruise companies.