Portsmouth International Port
Also known as Portsmouth Port or Portsmouth Continental Ferry Port, Portsmouth International Port is a cruise, ferry and cargo terminal located in the city of Portsmouth on the South Coast of England. It operates departures and arrivals for cruise ships, cargo ships and passenger ferries.
History
Portsmouth investigated three locations for a ferry port at the end of the 1960s, before the current location was chosen. The choice was based on cost and the likely benefit of cross-channel ferries. The site was at the end of the newly constructed M275. Originally built with two berths the site opened in 1976 with the Earl William running to the Channel Islands, the Viking Victory running to Cherbourg, and Brittany Ferries running to Saint-Malo.Ferry Operators and Destinations
Ferry Operator | Destination | Average Duration of Crossing | Frequency |
Brittany Ferries | Ouistreham | 6 Hours | Up to three sailings per day |
Brittany Ferries | Cherbourg-Octeville | 3 Hours ; 4 Hours 45 Minutes | Summer: One fast-ferry sailing per day; Winter: Irregular cruise ferry sailings |
Brittany Ferries | Le Havre | 3 Hours 45 Minutes 6 Hours | All Year: One or two 'Économie' sailings per day Summer: One fastcraft return sailing per day |
Brittany Ferries | St Malo | 8 Hours 30 Minutes | One departure per day |
Brittany Ferries | Zierbena | 23 Hours / 33 Hours | Two return sailings per week |
Brittany Ferries | Santander | 24 Hours | Three return sailings per week |
Condor Ferries | St Helier | 10 Hours 30 Minutes | Six sailings per week |
Condor Ferries | St Peter Port | 6 Hours 30 Minutes | Six sailings per week |
Future plans
In early 2019, it was announced that owners Portsmouth City Council had agreed to invest £33.7m to expand the Port. £18.7m would go towards developments within Portsmouth International Port. This would include levelling and extending Berth 2 so it could accommodate ships up to 255m in length, upgrading the passenger terminal to provide dedicated facilities for cruise passengers and replacing the 35 year-old passenger boarding tower. It is predicted that the improvements will lead to an increase in the number of cruise passengers at the Port from 50,000 to 150,000 in the coming years.The remaining £15m will be invested in improving facilities at Portico, who operate two commercial quays within the Port.