Hull Cruise Terminal Plans Take Step Forward

Hull has traditionally been a commercial port, with its modern economy and urban revival being heavily based on a growing offshore energy sector. But now the city is set to become a cruise destination as well.

It may not be able to offer the azure waters or hot climate of the Caribbean, or the dramatic scenery of the Norwegian fjords, but Hull City Council is pushing ahead with plans for a £73 million cruise terminal.

The latest stage has seen it appoint Dutch engineering firm Royal Haskoning DHV to provide consultancy support on environmental and engineering matters for the project, including issues of transport and access to the terminal. This will help the council move ahead with a planning application this year.

If the project comes to fruition, the terminal will be located at the Sammy’s Point site next to The Deep aquarium.

Scaffolding contractors in Hull may form a part of the small army of construction workers needed to build the terminal if the project does get the green light. The design and features of the facility will not only need to offer the levels of service passengers will expect, but also meet modern environmental standards in a city becoming famous for using the sea to generate renewable energy.

The design incorporates a number of green features already, including an electricity station next to the terminal that will help cut emissions, by allowing cruise ship operators to access more eco-friendly electricity and to turn off their ship’s engines while in port.

Commenting on the application, leader of Hull City Council Daren Hale said: “Hull needs a dedicated cruise facility in the heart of the Old Town so that we can greet cruise passengers with a five-star welcome.”

He added that this could provide visitors with “an immediate experience of Hull, in addition to the region’s world class visitor attractions”.

Discussing the appointment of Royal Haskoning DHV, Councillor Hale commented: “A new cruise facility would be a huge boost to our plans to increase tourism and create new jobs, therefore this appointment is welcomed.”

Given the city’s location, it could act as a stopping point for visitors to the UK keen to see historic areas of England such as the cities of York and Lincoln, plus Robin Hood country around Nottingham. Councillor Hale said there would be an environmental benefit for those sailing from the UK, as they would not need to travel to ports on the south coast.

Hull is not the first northern city to become a cruise destination in recent years. Liverpool has developed such a facility in its historic docklands and expects to welcome its 500th passenger cruise ship by 2023, with over a million passengers having arrived in the city.

Although the global cruise sector has been hit by the pandemic, operators will be keen to make up for lost time when this is possible. A key factor in the revival of the sector may be pent-up demand from those who will not have been able to go on a cruise over the past couple of years.

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