Plan to attract the biggest cruise ships in the world

A MULTI-MILLION pound cruise ship berth could be built in Holyhead by 2020 as liner visits continue to surge.

Holyhead will welcome 34% more passengers next year than in 2017, bringing the total to 36,000 on 43 ships. These will include vessels like the 2,500 passenger Brilliance of the Seas and help pump extra money into the tourism economy across north west Wales.

But the port is still restricted by its berthing facilities – using the Orthios jetty or anchorage and tender vessels to bring passengers to and from shore.

Now a multi-use berth development is again under consideration on Salt Island which could accommodate the biggest cruise ships in the world in Holyhead port. It could also be used for other purposes to increase capacity at the port.

Suzanne Thomas, head of Cruise Wales, told Cruise Europe, that a new multi-use berth development is being considered. It will be 340m long and able to accommodate vessels up to 365m in length.

She said: “Royal Caribbean is advising us on the build and the channels and all the technical aspects with regard to the Oasis class(cruise vessels). We are hoping it will be ready for 2020. All the stakeholders, including Stena, are still discussing the investment.”

Captain Wyn Parry, Stena Line’s Irish Sea South Ports Manager, said Stena were working with the Welsh Government on the potential development. High spending cruise ship passengers bring an economic boost to the area, with tours from the port to towns like Beaumaris, Conwy and Caernarfon.

A spokesperson for Anglesey County Council said: “Forty-three cruise ships have already been confirmed for 2018.”