In a maritime narrative, the nautical industry has charted a historic course in bolstering the local economy this year, as disclosed by a consortium of ports.
Associated British Ports (ABP) reports that ship dockings in Southampton have contributed an unprecedented GBP 1 billion to the maritime economy of Hampshire. Throughout the year, ~2.6 million passengers embarked and disembarked during 460 cruise calls, with each call being appraised at ~GBP 2.7 million for the local economy.
Despite these commendable economic strides, the port has faced criticism for its environmental impact. In an effort to mitigate this, Southampton became the inaugural port in the UK to facilitate shore power for cruise ships in 2021, promoting zero emissions during their docked periods. However, recent data reveals that vessels are opting to burn fuel in port rather than utilizing the available plug-in facilities. Over a 2-year span, ships plugged into the National Grid only 71 times, with ABP suggesting that the high electricity costs in the UK may be a contributing factor.
Furthermore, a report released in June indicated that the port exhibited some of the highest levels of cruise ship air pollution in Europe. Despite CCL-Carnival, the Port's primary cruise company, expressing its commitment to emission reduction, the data underscored the challenges in achieving cleaner operations.
On the positive economic front, Hampshire councilor Gary Westbrook highlighted that half of the industry-generated revenue stays within the region, supporting ~14000 jobs annually across various sectors. The county council's director of Hampshire 2050 reported in a cabinet meeting that the number of cruise ships arriving in the county had rebounded to pre-COVID levels by October.
It is estimated that the maritime sector, including hospitality, dockworkers, and fuel bunkering services, sustains jobs in various industries, contributing to the broader economic landscape.