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News

Building Commercial Links With Cherbourg

Representatives from Borough of Poole, Poole Harbour Commissioners and Poole Tourism have met with the Deputy Mayor of Cherbourg, Jean-Claude Magalhaes to explore ways in which commercial links between Poole and Cherbourg can be strengthened.

The meeting, which took place on 30 August, followed exciting news that the Port of Poole has clinched an important deal with Brittany Ferries to operate its latest super ferry, the Cotentin, on the Cherbourg-Poole route. When the vessel enters service in October, it will be the largest and fastest freight ship on the Channel.

M. Magalhaes heard about ambitions to develop container and cruise ship business and a was taken on a tour of the port led by Jim Stewart, Chief Executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners.

Jim Stewart, said, "We are delighted with Brittany Ferries' decision to operate the Cotentin from Poole, which demonstrates their confidence in the levels of service provided by the Port of Poole. We are also pleased to have attracted some feeder container business which we expect to grow over the coming years."

Presentations included a briefing by Peter Wheelhouse, Borough of Poole's Economic Development Manager, on proposals to work with partners in the South West and France to promote the English Channel as a destination for cruise ships. The scope for taking the same approach with yachting was also discussed.

The cruise proposals are part of the response to the very positive feedback received from cruise line executives that attended the Seatrade Cruise Forum in Poole last April.

Councillor Ron Parker, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Local Economy said, " We were delighted to meet up again with M. Magalhaes. The meeting marks a potentially new phase in the relationship with our friends in Cherbourg; there are now some opportunities to work together to promote cruise and yachting visits and we will be developing these ideas over the coming months."

The event concluded with a meeting with the Mayor of Poole, Cllr Jeff Allen and Consort in the Mayor's Parlour.

Lisa Gaskell, Communications Co-ordinator
Tel: 01202 633060