By
Rebecca Gibson |
A joint venture between the Port of Tilbury and London-based ferry operator MBNA Thames Clippers has secured a five-year contract to manage the Central London Cruise Moorings on behalf of the Port of London Authority (PLA).
Effective immediately, the new contract will see the joint venture managing daily operations at Greenwich Ship Tier, which accommodates 228-metre-long vessels and has the world’s first floating cruise terminal; Tower Bridge Upper, which caters for 158-metre vessels; and George’s Stair Tier, which handles 120-metre ships. Last year, the three moorings attracted more than 20 cruise calls.
According to the agreement, MBNA Thames Clippers will handle all marine elements and transfers, while the Port of Tilbury’s cruise business Capital Cruising will look after the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) security elements and passenger/baggage handling.
Both companies will be responsible for appointing and training port security officers, marketing and promoting London’s cruise facilities to potential customers, and liaising with the PLA harbour master and ships’ agents where necessary around ship calls.
“Over the last decade we’ve transformed the Thames offer for larger cruise ships at London International Cruise Terminal at Tilbury, which is now the homeport for Cruise & Maritime Voyages,” said Steve Lyons, head of cruise for Capital Cruising at the Port of Tilbury. “This new agreement with the PLA allows us to bring the marketing of all London’s cruise facilities under one umbrella and to apply our cruise ship management experience to the unique facilities in central London.”
MBNA Thames Clippers will also provide its river bus services to cruise passengers who want to explore the city’s major attractions via its existing routes.
“London is a hugely attractive tourist destination and it makes perfect sense that the Thames – one of its most-loved features – should play a central role in the visitor story,” said Sean Collins, founder and CEO of MBNA Thames Clippers. “Obviously the river has particular navigational constraints which present complexities for larger vessels, but the capital has the potential of significantly increasing cruise business. It is our intention to harmonise and improve the customer experience to ensure London has the cruise facilities such a world-class city deserves.”
MBNA Thames Clippers and Capital Cruising plan to invest in improving all aspects of the operations over the next five years.
“Our London cruise moorings offer passengers a rare opportunity to get right to the heart of a world city, close to UNESCO World Heritage sites, at both the Tower of London and Maritime Greenwich,” said Julie Tankard, PLA’s chief financial officer. “The Port of Tilbury and MBNA Thames Clippers won the contract after a close competition. We’re excited to see how their proposals enhance the experience of cruise ship passengers visiting London.”