THE viability of a new cruise terminal in Hull has been reinforced by the success of a cruise operator that "took a chance" on the city four years ago.
Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV) first sailed from the port of Hull in 2010.
Speaking yesterday on board the Discovery, commercial director Chris Coates told the Mail the city now boasts CMV's strongest regional departure port in the whole of the UK.
He said: "Hull has proved to be a very good regional market for us. There is a huge demand to sail from the port.
"It is very important for us as a destination.
"Our 2013 cruises from the city have sold out. We've just launched our 2014 cruises and they are already 25 per cent full nationally. In Hull, this figure is 30 per cent, so it is above average."
Mr Coates said he believed there was "huge potential" to grow the city's cruise market further and welcomed the City Plan's focus on developing a new cruise terminal.
He said: "There is a huge potential in the wider region and it is something we are looking to continue growing.
"What is great for us is customers come from the Humber, East Yorkshire and the Wolds – they aren't travelling from elsewhere but they are proving the levels of demand locally.
"I think a terminal would attract a wider market and help open up new destinations, which would be great for the city."
The development of a cruise terminal close to city centre visitor attractions was unveiled in the City Plan as an idea to help make Hull a world-class visitor destination.
However, the idea was first seriously examined in a feasibility study carried out in 2008.
According to the study, the economic benefit to Hull from vessels calling at the new facility could be as much as £14.3m in cruise tourism, which would come from passengers and crew using local businesses for shopping and dining, in addition to port fees paid by cruise lines.
There could also be an additional £31m in spin-offs, such as local firms providing repairs or maintenance to the cruise liners.
However, should ships base themselves at the terminal rather than simply calling there for a shorter stop, the overall benefits could be between 50 to 100 per cent higher.
Following a series of technical studies, officials confirmed Hull is capable of hosting the largest cruise ships in operation today – up to 1,112ft (360m) in length.
Hull City Council yesterday confirmed the original feasibility report will help shape the cruise terminal plans, but said additional work was needed to bring the knowledge base up to date.
Councillor Steven Bayes, portfolio holder for economic regeneration, said: "The cruise terminal is in the City Plan and it's a priority for the council.
"It is a process where we need to understand what the market requires and we will be speaking to operators and cruise organisations."
When CMV first launched in Hull, its itineraries saw holidaymakers board the Ocean Countess before sailing away to the Norwegian Fjords and circumnavigating the British Isles.
They have proved so popular in the first year – beaten only by cruises departing from London Tilbury – that CMV subsequently ramped up its 2011 Hull programme, from four cruises to 11.
"Hull has been so successful I am often surprised other companies don't sail from here," said Mr Coates.
Matt Jukes, ABP Port director Hull, Goole and Humber Estuary Services, said: "It's very exciting to be able to welcome the MV Discovery to the Port of Hull, as it highlights the wide range of services we can offer to the cruise sector and the attractions of the Humber as a starting point for cruise holidays.
"We wish the Discovery well on her final voyage of the season from Hull, hope everyone aboard has a thoroughly enjoyable trip, and very much look forward to welcoming her back in 2014."
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