(Saint John, N.B.) Saint John’s busiest cruise ship season reached another milestone today with the grand opening of a new cruise ship terminal at Long Wharf at the north end of the inner harbour.
“We are very pleased to be celebrating the arrival of the first cruise ship at our new Long Wharf facility. The “Carnival Victory” which originated in New York arrived this morning at a new location which we hope guests will find very comfortable and convenient,” said Captain Al Soppitt, President and CEO of the Saint John Port Authority. “The new cruise centre will be used a total of seven times from now until the end of this season which continues until October 24th.”
Port officials and an award winning team of greeters welcomed the 272-metre-long Carnival Victory cruise ship and her 3,200 passengers at the new facility designed to accommodate record numbers of cruise ship calls. At the same time, the Grandeur of the Seas occupied the regular berth for cruise ships at Pugsley Terminal along Water Street.
A ribbon and cake cutting ceremony will be held inside a new 10,000-square-foot tent that was erected at Long Wharf in late August. “The upgrades include $600,000 of pier paving, pipe and electrical infrastructure improvements and line painting, all by local contractors,” Capt. Soppitt explained. “Two new 75-foot gangways were also built for use at both facilities by Saint John-based Ready Arc. An existing 50-foot gangway will also be used.”
The Port Authority hosted a seafood reception at facility where the Carnival Victory made its 19th of 23 calls this year, but this is the first sailing to Long Wharf. “The facility will be particularly vital this fall when three cruise ships arrive at the same time on Sept 25 and another three on Sept 26,” noted Captain Soppitt. “These six calls will bring over 14,000 passengers and crew to the city in a 48-hour period.”
Capt. Soppitt said other activities have demonstrated the importance of Long Wharf as an essential marine terminal at the Port of Saint John. “Last winter, the tanker Kiowa Spirit lost her power at sea and generated $400,000 for the port during her long stay while repairs took place by local contractors.”
Long Wharf will also continue to be used for limestone imports with 40,000 tonnes expected at end of this years cruise ship season. Last renovated extensively in the early 1960s, the terminal has handled various other cargoes over the decades including salt and other drybulk commodities. The terminal is also well known for displaying the annual Harbour Lights Christmas Tree-- the focal point of the successful fundraising campaign by CBC Radio and the Saint John Port Authority.
The port is receiving 55 cruise ship calls for a total of 140,000 passengers this year. An economic impact of more than $14-million is estimated for the 2007 season, $5-million more than last year. A significant part of this year’s economic growth can be attributed to Carnival Cruise Line’s 23 calls. Carnival makes seven exclusive calls directly from New York this season which is a first for Saint John.
In addition, at the end of the season, the Saint John Port Authority will commence construction of a new Cruise Terminal Building at Pugsley Terminal. Underground infrastructure is already in place at Pugsley Terminal for the building, including water and electrical systems.
“The new tent at Long Wharf is identical to the two currently serving Pugsley Terminal. Next year, when the new terminal building is complete, one of those tents will be moved to Long Wharf for what is expected to be another record cruise ship season,” added Capt. Soppitt.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Capt. Alwyn G. Soppitt
President & CEO
Saint John Port Authority
Tel: (506) 636-4884
