More solar power for Southampton

The terminal already has over 2000 solar panels, added as part of a programme to invest more than GB£1m in solar energy on ABP-owned buildings. Ocean Cruise Terminal’s carbon neutral status already meant it is generating more electricity than it is consuming.

Phase one of the upgrade, incorporating quayside infrastructure upgrades, has now been completed and the terminal reopened. The extra solar panels will be added in phase two of the project with P&O Cruises. Launched in October last year, the project will be completed in early 2020.

Alastair Welch, director at ABP Southampton, said: “Cruise is a growing industry and we continue to make these significant investments which are crucial to ensuring we are in a good position to welcome the larger ships and the increase in passenger numbers.”

In May 2020, the cruise line’s newest flagship, Iona, will arrive in Southampton from Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg.

Iona, which will homeport in Southampton, is the first British cruise ship to be powered by LNG. The vessel is the first of two new ships of the XL class for P&O Cruises, with the next ship on order to be delivered in 2022.