Portsmouth International Port is to receive £11.25 million from the government following a successful city-wide bid for funding.
More than 200 cruise calls will be made into the port over the next three years and terminal officials cited this figure as part of efforts to secure money from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
The port said its ability to manage an additional 250,000 passengers each year relied on boosting capacity at the terminal through its The International Terminal Transformation development.
Port director Mike Sellers explained how the government had recognised the facility’s need to expand.
He said: “This year, for example, with the arrival of Virgin Voyages we were required to provide temporary additional facilities to ensure secure passenger segregation as part of Covid protections, but we need a permanent base.
“Our rise in passengers is a result of responding to growth in the cruise and ferry industry, which the port is ideally positioned to deliver thanks to its enviable waterfront location.
“Following our recently-completed berth extension, we are now in advanced discussions with companies new to the UK market to agree a partnership with the port and our expansion plans are critical to meet market demand.”
The port was part of a successful city-wide £20m bid for Portsmouth, which also includes funding for a lido and the creation of the UK’s longest urban park.
Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, leader of Portsmouth City Council said: “The success of the port will be transformational for the city, providing employment opportunities and complementing the offer as the UK’s leading marine and maritime region.”