Cruise ships are one step closer to returning to Lyttelton Harbor, as construction begins on Lyttelton Port Company’s (LPC) cruise berth.
The new cruise berth will be located between Cashin Quay and the entrance to the Inner Harbor.
It will be the first custom-built cruise ship facility in New Zealand designed to accommodate the world’s largest cruise vessels, reported the Port.
Chief Executive Peter Davie , “ The cruise berth is part of LPC’s long-term plan to ensure the Port can serve the region’s future needs. Preparation work for the construction of the cruise berth began in early June. The next phase will see pile driving begin in early July and completed in early 2020.”
“ Piling will occur intermittently, Monday through to Saturday, and the noise levels will be comparable to the construction of Cashin Quay wharf in 2014/2015. However, given the cruise berth’s proximity to residents, pile driving will be heard more widely, ” added Peter Davie.
The cruise berth is set to open for the 2020/2021 summer cruise season, and will accommodate all sizes of cruise ships from around the world. This includes the world’s largest cruise ship which is 362 meters long and carries more than 8,000 passengers and crew.