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More Visitors
In the
year 2000, there were 8,000 visitors to the Firth of Forth by cruise ship.
In the
year 2007, there were 32,000 visitors.
In 2008,
there are expected to be 53,000 visitors, arriving in 53 cruise ships,
including the QE2 and Constellation. Most of the ships will dock at
Leith Western Harbour, but those over 50,000 tonnes will moor off Hound
Point at Queensferry.
In 2007,
there have been , there were
It is
believed that this might cost between £20m and £50m, and that funding
would be sought from the Scottish Executive and the City of Edinburgh
Council.
At
present, about 30 cruise ships a year berth at Leith Harbour, max size
50,000 tonnes. If the new terminal was built, larger ships could be
accommodated and it is estimated that perhaps 150 a year might visit
Leith, bringing £40m pa to the Edinburgh and Leith economy.
The
terminal might also be used for cruises to Scandinavia, the travel time
being 3 days less than for cruises from Harwich, England.
Plans to
start a ferry service across the Firth of Forth, between Kirkcaldy in Fife
and Leith, are also being considered.
Most of the details above have been
taken from Herald & Post, March 23, 2006: p.11 |