NORWEGIAN Cruise Line’s decision to operate out of Southampton in 2017 and 2018 has been welcomed by ABP Southampton and Solent Stevedores, who have been chosen to provide baggage and stores handling services for all vessels.

The NCL liners involved this year will be ‘Norwegian Jade’, ‘Nautica’, ‘Seven Seas Explorer’, ‘Marina’, Norwegian Gateway’, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Breakaway and ‘Norwegian Joy’.

Tom Dynes, Solent Stevedores operations manager, said: ‘This announcement by NCL is further recognition of the high level of service provided by the team at Solent Stevedores. From a standing start in 2010 our cruise related business has increased year by year and we now expect to handle over 80 per cent of the cruise vessels calling in Southampton in 2017.

“It is estimated that our dedicated cruise team will provide assistance to over 1.7 million passengers joining and leaving ships, throughout 2017, along with over two and a quarter million pieces of baggage plus substantial amounts of ships stores.

“With further new business in prospect for 2018 this reconfirms Southampton’s position as the leading cruise port in Northern Europe.

"Our team at Solent Stevedores are delighted to be part of this success.”