After 18 months of construction, Portsmouth International Port has opened its new sustainable passenger terminal and welcomed its first guests from Saga’s Spirit of Discovery cruise ship.  

The multi-million-pound terminal extension in Portsmouth, on the UK’s south coast, is said to be carbon-neutral thanks to cutting-edge environmental engineering.

The port is the first in the UK to use seawater to heat and cool the building. Other environmental features include wind and solar technology, and internal and external living walls to help purify the air. All elements combined will generate more energy for the building than it consumes, eventually moving from net carbon neutral to carbon positive.

The new terminal has been built to accommodate a growth in cruise ships coming to the port, which is expected to rise to over 100 calls in 2024. A forecast increase in cruise and ferry customers could mean an additional 250,000 passengers per year. Following a major berth extension, coupled with the new terminal, the port is now in a position to handle ships up to 300m in length and the associated passenger capacity these vessels carry. It can also act as a second departure gate for ferry passengers, giving more flexibility to the facilities in Portsmouth.

The design features a sky garden, which is a public viewing space to watch the activity across the port site, a walkway between the existing terminal and an exclusive lounge area for passengers. Portsmouth appeals to the small to medium-sized, boutique, luxury and expedition cruise and ferry market, and the terminal has been designed to reflect this experience from the moment they arrive at the port.

“This terminal transformation follows a number of significant infrastructure projects to position Portsmouth as not only one of the UK’s leading ports, but a global one too,” says Mike Sellers, Portsmouth International Port’s director. “From the start of this development we were determined to retain our environmental values, however we have now exceeded our ambitions and the new terminal extension with its sophisticated engineering is on track to generate more energy than it uses.”

“Our masterplan has focused efforts towards a sustainable future that aims to be the first carbon-neutral port by 2030; we’re able to do this by working alongside innovative industries and partners who share our vision.”

Nigel Blanks, CEO of Saga Cruises, adds: “We were delighted to have played a part in this historic moment for Portsmouth Port as the first cruise operator to welcome our guests through the new terminal.”

“The quality of the building and the attention to detail that has gone into its development really are second to none, and our guests thoroughly enjoyed the new arrival experience.”

The opening of the new cruise terminal is welcome news for Portsmouth Port, after news that its controversial £22m border control site — built in the wake of Brexit– remains closed 13 months after its scheduled opening date. The delays are related to the changes in rules around animal, plant and forest imports. British Ports Association chief executive Richard Ballantyne has dubbed border control sites like the one in Portsmouth and others around the country as “costly white elephants”.

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