McLaughlin & Harvey, which has undertaken marine-based projects across the UK, secured the deal following an open tendering process undertaken through the Official Journal of the EU. Tony McDonough reports
UK marine construction specialist McLaughlin & Harvey has secured the the first phase of the two-phase project to built Liverpool’s new £50m cruise liner terminal.
The 160-year-old Belfast-based business has undertaken marine-based projects across the UK, from the Shetland Islands to Kent, and was appointed after an open tendering process undertaken through the Official Journal of the EU.
The first stage will consist of supporting the council’s appointed design team, led by Ramboll UK, to finalise the design and construction method.
57 cruise vessels to visit Liverpool in 2018 – click to read more
This will include completing enabling works such as the controlled dismantling of the existing derelict Princess Jetty, which has been gifted to the city by Peel Land and Property.
McLaughlin & Harvey will also establish the final construction costs by inviting competitive sub-contract prices for each package of works in advance of the second stage main contract award, whilst designing out construction risks.
New structure
The main contract works involve the construction of the new Cruise Passenger Terminal on a suspended deck structure at the Princes Jetty site and the erection of a vehicular linkspan bridge and pedestrian bridge / walkway to connect the new terminal to the existing landing stage.
It also includes improvements to the existing landing stage, including modification of existing buildings such as the lower cruise terminal reception building, relocation of the building on the northern end of the pontoon and creation of an ancillary buildings for storage.
There will also be improvements to Princes Parade to incorporate pedestrian crossing facilities, provision of terminal parking, pickup and drop off facilities, and supporting development.
Significant growth
Liverpool’s current temporary facility was built more than a decade ago and has seen a significant increase in cruise traffic over the last few years. In the forthcoming cruise season the facility will welcome 57 vessels carrying more than 100,000 passengers and crew.
The outline planning application for the new facility is expected to be heard by the council’s planning committee in April. If approved, site preparation at Princes Dock, in Liverpool Waters, is expected to start in October 2018.
Further planning applications could potentially include supplementary projects with a new 200 room hotel and 1,700+ multi-storey car park to enhance the city’s capabilities in handling the next generation of turnaround cruises, which can carry up to 3,600 passengers.
Step forward
Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: “This is a major step forward for what is one of the city’s most important regeneration projects of this decade and is vital to growing Liverpool’s tourism economy.
“We want to provide the next generation of super liners and their passengers a world class welcome with a five star experience.
The council, which recently held a two day public consultation on the scheme, is also investing a further £32m in upgrading the A565 to support the new cruise facility and north docklands and is also gearing up to create a £20m link road to extend Leeds Street to the waterfront to support a new £30m Isle of Man Ferry terminal.