HARWICH International Port is to invest further in its cruise terminal to help handle the growing number of cruise vessels calling at the port. The port, part of Hutchison Ports UK, which also includes the Port of Felixstowe, has placed an order for a new passenger boarding bridge to provide improved access between the ships and the terminal building.

HARWICH International Port is to invest further in its cruise terminal to help handle the growing number of cruise vessels calling at the port.

The port, part of Hutchison Ports UK, which also includes the Port of Felixstowe, has placed an order for a new passenger boarding bridge to provide improved access between the ships and the terminal building.

The bridge, due for delivery in March 2009, will be manufactured by TEAM in Barcelona, and will allow passengers to embark and disembark safely, securely and unaffected by either weather or tidal conditions.

Harwich International Port is now established as the most northerly major UK cruise port for turnaround calls and serves a number of markets, including North Cape, Baltic, Scandinavia and around-Britain.

In conjunction with East of England Tourism, the port is promoting excursions to many of the local tourist attractions, in an effort to attract a greater number to Essex and Suffolk.

The number of large cruise ships using the port has steadily increased in recent years, and 2008 will see calls from ships ranging from 131 metres to 294 metres in length. The new bridge will be capable of operating from quay level up to an elevation of 10 metres, and will have a range along the quay of up to 25 metres.

The cabin of the passenger boarding bridge will be equipped with a uniquely integrated hydraulic, telescopic, docking ramp that, when attached to the side of a cruise ship, automatically follows the vessel's movements and will immediately undock in the event of an emergency.

The boarding bridge can serve any cruise ship calling at the port, and is compliant with international safety and security standards. The clearance under the bridge will also allow continuous truck, equipment and supplies traffic on the quayside.

Chris Lewis, chief executive of Hutchison Ports UK, said: “As the European cruise market continues to grow, it is important that we are able to provide the best facilities available to our customers.

“The new boarding bridge is at the cutting edge of market innovation and technology, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this industry's development.”