HARWICH International Port faces an uncertain future if plans allowing another UK location to receive cruise ships go ahead.

Under government proposals, Liverpool Cruise Terminal could start competing for the same passenger ships which currently dock at Harwich.

Up until now the port at Liverpool has been restricted to ‘port of call visits’ only and does not handle turnaround calls where passengers start or finish their cruises. This was a condition imposed by the government after the port received �18 million in public funding, as it would damage competition with privately funded facilities.

However, the Department of Transport are now considering whether to remove that restriction after a request from Liverpool City Council and an offer of partial grant repayment.

Hutchison Ports, the company that owns Harwich International, has sent a letter to local councillors and MP Bernard Jenkin alerting them to the news, setting out the potential damage this could have on their business and the wider community.

The port at Harwich has a long tradition of serving cruise ships and is a major employer in the area. It currently receives passenger ships that travel to the Baltic region and all around Britain, the same markets Liverpool Cruise Terminal want to target.

Paul Davey, Head of Corporate Affairs at Hutchison Ports, said they were still assessing the impact this could have on the cruise ships through Harwich and warned: “Liverpool’s public subsidy will be used to compete with privately funded ports which will distort competition to our detriment.”

Harwich councillor Les Double expressed his concern about the effect it could have on the local economy.

“In the economic climate it’s crucial we maintain and increase the number of cruise ships in Harwich.

“This is going to have a knock on effect because cruise ships are going to look for the best deal and this will put prices down. I believe in a free market but it is unfair if we are competing against others we can’t match.

“I’d like to see our MP really lobby heavily to the Department of Transport to support all the activity and improve the productivity at Harwich port.

“It’s very important to grow the business, not to see it diminish and these changes could see that happen.”

Leader of Tendring District Council Neil Stock echoed the same sentiment: “We will do everything we can to protect the future of Harwich. We have been striving to get funding from the government for this area which has been struggling for years. It isn’t fair and it shouldn’t happen.

“We don’t want to put any part of the country down but Liverpool want their cake and eat it too.”

If Liverpool do get permission to go ahead with their plans, Mr Stock said: “It doesn’t bare thinking about. Harwich is the third largest port in the UK and is a major part of what Essex has to offer.”

The plans are currently under consultation which closes on September 15.