Southampton Docks has scooped two prestigious international shipping awards, crowning the port as one of Europe's major centres in the multi-million-pound worldwide cruise industry.

News of the awards came as Southampton started its 2002 cruising season, which will see a record-breaking 178 separate vessel calls, the biggest total in recent times.

The city is powering ahead, leaving rival UK ports languishing in its wake. Huge amounts of cash are pumped into regional economy every year by the many cruise ships that have made Southampton their home port.

Each Southampton-based cruise ship is estimated to generate around £30m a year for local companies, providing services and supplies for the vessels as well as safeguarding thousands of jobs both at sea and on shore.

The docks, owned by Associated British Ports (ABP), sailed away with the awards for being "Northern Europe's Most Efficient Terminal Operator'' and "Northern Europe's Best Turnaround Port'' at the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention held in Miami. An ABP delegation, including Ray Facey, the port of Southampton's commercial manager, was at the convention.

Andrew Kent, port director, said: "This is the first time Southampton has been nominated, and to win not just one award but two is very good indeed."