Kate O’Hara, chair of Cruise Britain, has been appointed to deliver a new international cruise terminal in London.
O’Hara has been tasked with delivering the London Cruise Port at Enderby Wharf in Royal Greenwich. The port has been designed to accommodate the largest cruise vessels which can sail up the Thames.
The terminal will be built over the next two years and is set to be ready for the start of the 2016 season.
O’Hara said: “I am hugely excited by the opportunity to become involved in such a prestigious and innovative project within the heart of London and Royal Greenwich.
“The views from the new terminal location are exceptional and I am sure cruise passengers will be thrilled at being able to sail into the heart of the capital.
“Enderby Wharf is ideally located for passengers to embark and disembark as either transit or turnaround visitors given the design of the terminal and the vast array of attractions in such close proximity to the facility.
“The team at West Properties has secured a remarkable planning permission alongside its partners and I am looking forward to delivering the project and welcoming the first cruise vessels in 2016.”
O’Hara’s appointment comes after the project was granted planning permission last year.
Vessels will sail past the Thames Barrier, the o2 Arena, and Canary Wharf to moor close to the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site and Cutty Sark.
Royal Borough of Greenwich leader, Councillor Chris Roberts, said: “We are delighted that Kate O’Hara has been appointed to lead the delivery of the new international cruise terminal at Enderby Wharf in Royal Greenwich.
“It is clear that Kate will bring a significant amount of operational experience and Royal Greenwich together with its partners in the new destination management company look forward to working with Kate and West Properties over the coming months to ensure the development is a superb addition for residents, visitors and businesses alike.
“The construction of London’s first cruise terminal will establish Royal Greenwich as a global cruise destination and will be a huge boost to our local tourism industry.”
Enderby Wharf has been designed to accommodate ships which are up to 240 metres long and can sail through the Thames Barrier.
The onshore terminal will accommodate 3,000 passengers at any one time and it is anticipated that almost 100 ships will moor in Royal Greenwich each year.