Port of London awards cruise moorings contract

The Port of London Authority (PLA) has awarded a five-year contract for management of its central London cruise moorings to a joint venture between the Port of Tilbury and MBNA Thames Clippers.

Under the deal, the joint venture takes responsibility for day-to-day operations of three moorings – Greenwich Ship Tier, Tower Bridge Upper and George’s Stair Tier – on behalf of the PLA.

Greenwich Ship Tier is the largest facility and can accommodate vessels up to 228 metres in length and up to 8.1 metres in draught.

The moorings attracted more than 20 calls from cruise ships including Viking Sea and Silver Cloud in 2017.

Responsibilities include ensuring management of the moorings complies with all national and international regulations, appointing and training port security officers, marketing and promoting London’s cruise facilities to customers, and liaising with the PLA harbour master and ships’ agents where necessary around ship calls.

MBNA Thames Clippers and the Port of Tilbury’s cruise business, Capital Cruising, said they plan to invest in all aspects of the operation.

Under the new agreement, MBNA Thames Clippers will handle all marine elements and transfers and Capital Cruising will look after the international ship and port security (ISPS) security elements and passenger/baggage handling.