Stevedores and port terminal management company, SCH has had its Liverpool contract extended for another three years.
The extension was signed with Liverpool City Council to handle all cruise ships calling at Liverpool Cruise Terminal (LCT).
This agreement follows an extensive procurement and evaluation exercise and includes the option for an additional two years beyond 2021. As a result, SCH could be the cruise ship handlers when Liverpool’s new terminal opens towards the end of that season.
Liverpool’s expanding portfolio of cruise ship turnarounds and transit callers means that more than 85 cruise ships will call at LCT this yea. Operators using the Merseyside terminal include Fred Olsen Line, CMV, Disney Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises, Cunard and Princess.
SCH will provide all stevedoring, including baggage handling and stores loading, and rope handling services, while sister company Cruise and Passenger Services also provides valet cruise parking services for passengers. Around 50 Merseyside staff are employed for each turnaround cruise call at the port.
This contract extension builds upon the previous three year deal that SCH had with Liverpool and underlines the company’s claim to be the UK’s most extensive provider of cruise ship support, with operations in Southampton and, through sister company, Southern Maritime Services, in Portsmouth.
Angie Redhead, Liverpool’s Head of City Assets, said: “With our new passenger terminal on the horizon, these are exciting times for Liverpool’s continued growth as a major UK cruise port and the passenger handling operation is an essential part of the service. SCH have shown over the past three years that they are among the leading experts in supporting cruise ship operations and we look forward to continuing our solid working relationship with them.”
SCH Director, Kevin Hulme added: “We are delighted to have secured this contract extension against stiff competition. Our record in providing a first class service to LCT over the past few years was an important factor and we look forward to supporting Liverpool as the port develops its cruise offering even further with the construction of the new terminal.”
