Cruise lines get a bigger berth on South coast

As cruise ships and other vessels around the world continue to increase in size, the new extension future-proofs the Port’s relationship with cruise lines by adding the capacity to accommodate some of the biggest ships in operation. The new extended cruise berth facility in Portland Harbour was officially opened last month in time for the 2017 cruising holiday season.

Ramboll provided detailed design and construction support for the extension of Outer Coaling Pier, Portland Port's main cruise berth.

The design involved building two large structures, called mooring dolphins, 80m apart. Each dolphin consists of a platform with a plan area of 150m^2 formed of a 2m thick reinforced concrete cap set on seven, 1.5m diameter 27m long tubular steel piles driven into the sea bed. Each dolphin has a capstan and six 150 tonne bollards for mooring lines. The inner dolphin has also been designed as both a breasting dolphin, capable of taking berthing loads from the cruise vessels, to achieve this it has a fender panel that supports a 9m long floating pneumatic fender. The dolphins are linked by two 39m long pedestrian walkways to provide access for personnel tending the ships lines.