Ocean Terminal ‘set to be as popular as Alaska’

Greenock’s Ocean Terminal could become as popular for cruising as premier destination Alaska, according to a new report.The terminal was highlighted in a Scottish Enterprise study into the future of the cruise industry in Scotland.Greenock was identified as having the potential to become a new ‘cruising ground’, comparable to the US state. It estimated that the multi-million pound plans to extend the Greenock terminal could increase the number of cruise ship visitors from around 100,000 to 122,000 a year by 2029.The outline business case for the terminal extension has been agreed by Inverclyde’s environment and regeneration committee and the Glasgow Region City Deal Cabinet.The favourable comparison with Alaska was highlighted by the cabinet, which oversees a number of projects being financed through the £1 billion City Deal agreement signed with the UK and Scottish governments and eight councils.A total of three developments will take place in Inverclyde: £14.2m for the terminal quayside, £3.8m at Inverkip to build a roundabout and also improve the junction into the former power station site, plus a possible £9.4m to establish a ‘renewables hub’ at Inchgreen, which is due to start in 2021 but has still to be agreed.