South East cruise ship industry hits high note
Over the recent Bank Holiday weekend Southampton reaped an estimated £8.5m cash windfall when nine of the world’s largest cruise ships arrived in the city.
It was a spectacular sight as onlookers witnessed the arrival and departure of the highest number of passenger ships during a 48-hour period in recent times. Southampton celebrated this success by offering tourists free open-top bus tours of the docks for a close-up view of the vessels.
A report for Southampton City Council says each passenger joining a cruise in the port generates on average £380 for the local economy, last weekend around 45,500 passengers embarked and disembarked the ships.
This isn't the only good news story for the cruise ship industry in Southampton. A major deal to make and fit thousands of cushions, bed throws and curtains for P&O's latest massive cruise ship Azura, being built in Italy, was recently awarded to Southampton-based Trimline.
The furnishings will be placed in 1,557 passenger state rooms and over 600 crew cabins. Trimline bosses are hopeful of landing further work on her before she sails on her maiden voyage from Southampton next April.
These latest wins show the huge importance the cruise industry has in Southampton. The City accounts for half the UK cruise market, with nearly one million passengers last year. Between 1995 and 2005, demand in Europe for cruising more than tripled and the growth is set to continue. From April 2010, the world's largest cruise ship - Independence of the Seas - is going to be based in Southampton all year round. It is estimated that having this enormous cruise liner based in Southampton will bring up to £50 million into the local economy.
Southampton is also one of the top cargo ports in the UK, handling around 40 million tonnes of goods each year. Southampton Port handles more trade for countries outside the EU than any other UK port. Worldwide, about 90% of exports are transported by sea - and despite the recession, world trade is expected to keep growing.
The South East boast a second big player in the cruise ship industry. In Dover alone, a third of the UK's cruise business is handled, it is estimated that in the coming year, cruising will generate almost £20million spend in the local area, supporting more than 200 jobs directly and indirectly in the port and in local tourism.
More than 75 per cent of passengers tell cruise ship operators that they want to make excursions when the ship calls into port, so it is vital to build partnerships with local tourist attractions. After all, passengers are visiting a port because of its culture and heritage - but they will only want to make these forays if they are made aware of what's on offer.
The Port of Dover is the UK's second busiest cruise port, berthing up to three vessels at any one time. The port is seeing year on year growth: in 2005 it handled 111 ships and 159,000 passengers and in 2009 it has handled 143 ships and 210,000 passengers with 170 calls scheduled for 2010.
Marine South East is currently talking to the University of Southampton about a possible study to define the supply chain supporting the cruise market.
To find out more email jonathan@marinesoutheast.co.uk
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