Welcome to the Rotterdam cruise ship

Last Wednesday, 27th May 2009, saw the arrival of the ms Rotterdam cruise ship at Port of Waterford's Belview Terminal.   This vessel was one of the largest ever vessels to berth at the Belview facility.  It weighs 59,652 tonnes, measures 238 metres (780 feet) in length and comprises of approximately 125 passengers and 574 crew.  It berthed on the new €11million 190 metre quay extension opened last year.

The ship was launched in 1997 and is the standard-bearer for the Holland America Line, part of the Carnival Corporation, the biggest cruise ship in the world.  The cruise ship went on to Plymouth, and will go on-ward to  tour destination such as the Baltic and Russia, Egypt and elsewhere in the Pacific.

(click on pictures to enlarge - or see Gallery section)

New 190 metre Quay Extension

In September 2008, the Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey TD, officially opened a 190-metre quay extension at the Port of Waterford.  The €11 million development will boost the port’s growing cargo business and its reputation as one of northwest Europe’s key maritime hubs.

Speaking at the opening, Minister Dempsey said: “Waterford Port provides a vital piece of economic infrastructure for the region and is a key maritime hub in northwest Europe. This fantastic new out of town facility at Belview provides the Port and the commercial and industrial activities in its vicinity with the room to continue to grow into the future.

The investment augers well for the future at the busy terminal, according to Port of Waterford chairman, Ben Gavin. “This is a continuation of the existing quay and results in the Belview Container and Bulk Cargo Terminals offering an unbroken length of 843 metres.