News

12th November

ABP Cunard

Above : Left to right, Doug Morrison, Port Director, Port of Southampton, Theresa Villiers MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, David Dingle, Chief Executive, Cunard, Peter Jones, Chief Executive, ABP.

Port chiefs in Southampton were in a celebratory mood today when they marked the 90^th anniversary of Cunard’s connections with Southampton as its home port for their regal liners.

Associated British Ports’ (ABP) Chief Executive, Peter Jones and Port Director, Doug Morrison invited Cunard’s Chief Executive, David Dingle and Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, Theresa Villiers MP to join them to cut a special anniversary cake to mark the milestone anniversary.

After the short ceremony, which was held in the recently built £19 million Ocean Terminal, David Dingle welcomed ABP’s guests for a tour and lunch onboard Cunard’s flagship liner, the Queen Mary 2, prior to her transatlantic voyage to New York.

Peter Jones said: “Southampton has enjoyed a special relationship with Cunard for 90 years. ABP prides itself in its ethos of true customer care and total satisfaction for our cruise operators and their guests.”

“This year, working closely with Cunard, we have invested £19 million to build the finest Cruise Terminal in the UK which provides a total seamless operation.”

Peter added: “Over the past 90 years, there have been tremendous changes to cruising from Southampton. Today, through our significant achievements, we now serve almost one million passengers and 300 cruise liners a year. We wish Cunard well and look forward to welcoming their liners and guests for many years to come.”

David Dingle said: “Ever since the arrival of Mauretania in 1919 Cunard liners have called Southampton home. Today's Cunard - one of the oldest shipping companies but with the youngest fleet - is proud to continue that relationship.”

“It is fitting that our state-of-the-art liners, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria together with the future Queen Elizabeth, use Ocean Terminal, an equally modern facility which has been delighting our guests since its opening in May this year and will continue to delight for many years to come".

Theresa Villiers MP said: “I congratulate Cunard and the Port of Southampton on their long and successful partnership.”

“I am delighted to be attending the celebrations to mark the 90th anniversary. The facilities offered at the Ocean Cruise Terminal are superb. Having seen the staff in operation today, I can see that the level of service offered will ensure that the Port of Southampton will be welcoming Cunard for decades to come.”

“I wish both Cunard and the Port of Southampton well for many more years of offering high quality holiday options departing from one of the nation's premier gateways."