Port ready for cruise ships

Repairs and upgrades to PrimePort Timaru’s No 1 wharf are almost complete and could accommodate cruise ships as early as next month.

The last time a cruise ship visited was in February 2017 when the Seabourn Encore collided with the Milburn Carrier II, causing damage to the hull of the cement carrier, after the ship broke its moorings.

‘‘Given the huge effort and focus of the team on No 1 wharf, we will be ready to receive cruise ships from November this year,’’ PrimePort chief executive Phil Melhopt said.

‘‘The new shore bollards cost approximately $800k. The investment in the other upgrades and repairs on No 1 wharf will run into several million dollars.’’

Melhopt said the port’s focus was on safety and other berth areas had also been secured while some work was still ongoing.

‘‘The western berth on No 1 is completed, as are the shore bollards. We are now undertaking similar upgrades on the eastern berth.

‘‘The new shore bollards are rated at 90 tonne SWL (safe working load) and we will be able to accommodate cruise ships up to 261 metres in length.’’

He confirmed four cruise vessels will be arriving starting with the Seabourn Encore which will be back on January 14.

‘‘It was the last one here. We’re looking forward to welcoming them.

‘‘Our goal is to make sure the cruise ships that arrive here next season are very impressed with their visit to Timaru and PrimePort’s facilities and that more and more cruise ships decide to come and spend some time here. We will work hard to that end.’’

Seabourn Encore will make a second visit on Valentine’s Day (February 14), while Silver Muse visits on February 7 and Europa 2 on February 15, and more cruise ships were booked for the following season.

PrimePort Timaru chairman Roger Gower told The Timaru Herald recently the cruise ships represented an opportunity for local businesses to grab their slice of the $570 million revenue the sector brings.

‘‘If we can grow the cruise business like we’ve seen elsewhere then other people should be able to grow their businesses on the back of that,’’ he said.

‘‘Four cruise ships are booked to visit and will carry 500 to 600 passengers each. This will affect the community directly with its passengers walking through town and going on tours,’’

South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce chief executive Wendy Smith said it was significant to get the cruise ships back for a number of reasons.

‘‘One is obviously the direct business such as food and drinks, and shopping that comes from the cruise ships and we’ve got to look at that from two perspectives: it is the passengers who come onto the land and spend, purchasing different activities and trips from the cruise ship,’’ she said.

‘‘Then it is also the restocking of the cruise ship, the refuelling and the filling up of supplies that’s also of significance to the business community,’’ Smith said.

Aoraki Development operations manager Di Hay said the return of the cruise ships in January was a first step to getting re-established as a destination for cruise vessels.

‘‘It is important to create a good impression and showcase our region and we believe we are well placed to do this.’’

Hay said to help businesses get an idea of what they need to do to tap into the cruise market, Aoraki Development was planning a Cruise Ready Workshop for the first half of 2020.