HARWICH International Port is celebrating an extension to its contract with cruise firm Voyages of Discovery. The cruise specialist has been working with Harwich International since 1999 and its flagship vessel, the MV Discovery, is about to begin its fourth season sailing from the port.

HARWICH International Port is celebrating an extension to its contract with cruise firm Voyages of Discovery.

The cruise specialist has been working with Harwich International since 1999 and its flagship vessel, the MV Discovery, is about to begin its fourth season sailing from the port. The new agreement will secure the relationship for a further five-years, until 2010.

The 20,000 tonne MV Discovery will operates European cruises from Harwich from May to September, before cruising the Atlantic to Havana and on through the Panama Canal to Galapagos and Antarctica via the Chilean Fjords. She will return to Harwich in May 2007 having visited Easter Island, Pitcairn and Tahiti.

In October 2005, a second berth was made available at Harwich International Port to accommodate the growing number of cruise calls, and the record number of passengers expected through the port in the 2006 season.

Chris Lewis, chief executive of Hutchison Ports (UK) Ltd, which owns Harwich International, said: “Having one of the leading cruise firms sail from Harwich cements our place in the cruise industry as a major player. We are committed to building on our reputation and ensuring we remain a number one port for the travel industry.”