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SCH secures exclusive agreement to handle cruise ships in Liverpool

14 March 2016

Cruise handling specialists SCH have been awarded a contract for up to three years to provide stevedore services to all cruise ships calling at Liverpool Cruise Terminal.

SCH will handle around 60 cruise ships per year calling at Liverpool Cruise Terminal following the award of the contract by Liverpool City Council, initially for two years and with an option for a further year. Sister company Cruise and Passenger Services (CPS) already provides valet car parking services for passengers joining cruise ships in Liverpool.

Angie Redhead, Liverpool Cruise and Operations Manager, said: “We were impressed by SCH’s range of capabilities and their extensive network of cruise operations spread throughout the UK. Liverpool is growing fast as a turnaround and day call cruise port and we need a reliable, efficient port handling operator. We are confident that SCH can provide us with that service based on observations in other UK ports, as well as the experience we already have working with CPS in valet car parking.”

SCH and its sister companies are recognised as the UK’s most extensive cruise ship handling specialists, with operations in Portsmouth, Oban and Southampton. The company, which has been established for 25 years, currently handles more than 200 calls a year by cruise ships at ports throughout the UK, with the emphasis on recruiting specialist labour locally through its personnel company Pathfinder Personnel.

The company plans to utilise a total of up to 50 personnel for stevedoring and valet car parking operations at Liverpool.

Director Kevin Hulme commented: “We are delighted to be awarded the contract and are committed to helping Liverpool grow as a cruise port, both for turnaround operations and as a cruise destination. We will be employing locally-based workers to supplement the workforce we already manage in Liverpool as part of our CPS business.”

SCH will provide baggage handling, stores loading and mooring services for the increasing number of cruise ships calling in Liverpool, with the contract becoming fully operational ready for the start of the 2016 season in May.

“We have a strong relationship with the major cruise lines calling in the UK who rely on CPS and its sister companies to provide passengers with a first class experience in the ports where we operate. As cruise ship handlers, we provide services for more than 300,000 passengers a year and we look forward to helping Liverpool continue to build its reputation as a leading force in the UK cruise business,” added Mr Hulme.

Cap for photo: The vessel Azamara at Liverpool Cruise Termial
March 14, 2016
For further Information, contact Philip Rood , Mobile: +44 (0)794 1164756. Switch: +44 (0)23 8042 9700. E-mail: PRood@schltd.com