Portsmouth UK (England)

Portsmouth is a large ferry port located on Portsea Island in Hampshire (England UK). The city is located approx 70 mi (110 km) southwest of London and approx 19 mi (31 km) southeast of Southampton. Portsmouth is UK's only island city. Its population is around 205,000 (metro around 1,55 million).

Portsmouth is the homeport of the British Royal Navy, having here around 3/4 of UK's fleet. Here is also homeported UK's new aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth/QE and HMS Prince of Wales/POW. UK's ever largest warships (building cost GBP 6,2 billion for both units) dock at Portsmouth Naval Base's Princess Royal Jetty. QE first berthed on August 16, 2017, POW - on November 16, 2019. By a GBP 100 million contract were redeveloped naval port's facilities in order to be able to support both new aircraft carriers.

Portsmouth Harbour's waterfront is dominated by Spinnaker Tower (one of the UK's tallest / 560 ft / 170 m). Nearby is the Southsea (resort and premium residential area) featuring a pier-located amusement park. Portsmouth cruise port is located near the Historic Naval Dockyard. The passenger terminal is easily accessible from London by both rail and road. Portsmouth's ferry port serves both passenger and cargo vessels,

Portsmouth Naval Dockyard employs ~10% of the city's workforce, ranking it the city's biggest industry. In the city are headquartered the companies BAE Systems (major navy contractor), IBM, Zurich Financial Services.

In 2023, Portsmouth Port had scheduled a total of 83 cruise ship calls/booked berthings with expected ~97000 passengers (a triple increase over 2022's 35000 tourists) and largest vessel Mein Schiff 3 (TUI). In 2024, the number of calls grew to 90 (expected ~155000 tourists) with largest vessel Norwegian Star (NCL).

Port Portsmouth (England)

Portsmouth International Port (aka Portsmouth Continental Ferry Port/locode GBPME) owned and operated by Portsmouth City Council. This is a cargo port and a Royal Navy port, as well as a cruiseferry terminal serving regularly scheduled daily departures and arrivals of ferries (RO-PAX vessels) and cruise ships. Most berth bookings are for English Channel crossings (between England and France).

The two ferry companies homeporting vessels here are Brittany Ferries and Condor Ferries.

• Truck drivers must check-in at least 2 hours prior to departure.
• All vehicle drivers must wear high-visibility clothing when leaving the vehicle.
• The speed limit within the port is 20 mph (30 kph). Using mobile phones when driving in the port is forbidden.
• Overnight lorry parking and 24-hour bunkering are available at port's Truckstop and Lorry Park. Exclusively for truck drivers, inside the ferry terminal building are available WC-showers, cafe bar, diner, shop.

From Portsmouth, Brittany Ferries serve the routes to France - Ouistreham-Caen (3 daily crossings, time 6 hours), Cherbourg (time 3 hours and 5 hours), Le Havre (1 daily crossing, time 5,5 hours) and Saint-Malo (1 daily crossing, time 9-11 hours / day-overnight). Brittany Ferries also link Portsmouth with Spain - Zierbena-Bilbao (3 weekly return crossings, time 24-32 hours) and Santander (3 weekly return crossings, time 24-26 hours). Brittany Ferries homeport here 4 newbuild E-FLEXER ships (Galicia, Salamanca, Saint-Malo, Guillaume de Normandie).

As of 2019, it annually handles 1,85+ million ferry passengers, ranking it one of the UK's most popular crossing routes to France and Spain.

From Portsmouth, Condor Ferries serves exclusively the UK-Channel Islands routes to Saint Helier (Jersey Island) and Saint Peter Port (Guernsey Island). The service includes all 12 (2x6) weekly crossings, with travel time, respectively, 10,5-8,5 hours (outbound-return) and 6,5-12,5 hours (outbound-return).

As cruise port, Portsmouth also serves passenger liners operating on itineraries in Northern Europe, including around Britain (British Isles), Norway (Norwegian Fjords), Scandinavia and Russia/Sankt-Petersburg. Among these top-luxury cruise companies are Saga UK, Ponant, Phoenix Reisen, Viking OCEAN, Swan Hellenic, Virgin. The boats are small- to medium-sized.

In August 2018, was officially opened the Port's new linkspan. The GBP 9 million drawbridge allows cars and trucks to be loaded/offloaded (on and off) the ferries. Port's current freight capacity is around 900,000 wheeled units. Also in 2018 were invested around GBP 11 million in port infrastructure and facilities upgrades.

Port Portsmouth has the following major facilities:

• 2 commercial wharves (ship docking berths), 5 cruiseferry berths
• 8-hectare / 20-acre covered warehouse for imported fruits and vegetables (new complex, GBP 25 million)
• Specialized temperature-controlled warehouse/packing house (for imported fresh produce)
• 60 forklifts (powered industrial trucks) on site, new gantry cranes, new warehouses (completed in 2012)
• Quay draft (water depth) is 9,5 m (31 ft) allowing flexible docking regardless of tides
• Customs Agency, Ship Agency

Cargo handling (via partnership with Mainland Market Deliveries Ltd) is provided at Flathouse Quay (length 190 m) and Albert Johnson Quay (285 m). Major berth expansion projects were completed in 2001 (Berth 5 / new), 2009 (Berths 3-4), 2012 and 2018-2020 (Berth 2). The new (GBP 16,5 million) ferry terminal was inaugurated in May 2011.

For FY2018-19 (fiscal year), the port authority company MMD Shipping Services Ltd (rebranded in 2019 to Portico) reported a loss of GBP 5,8 million.

In 2019, the cruise port had scheduled 50 ship calls with estimated ~50,000 passengers. Following the completion of Cruise Berth 2's expansion (2020-Q1), the Port expects annual passenger capacity 150,000+ (100+ ship calls per year). Among the major cruise companies visiting Portsmouth UK are Viking Ocean, Ponant, Saga UK, Phoenix Reisen, Fred Olsen UK, Hapag-Lloyd, Silversea, Quark Expeditions, Noble Calendonia, FTI Kreuzfahrten, Sea Cloud.

Virgin Voyages started operations in Portsmouth in 2021 with Scarlet Lady.

In October 2021, Portsmouth City Council approved a plan for shoreside power connectivity at Portsmouth International Port. The technology allows berthed vessels (ferries and cruisers) to switch off their diesel engines (generating electricity for onboard services) and instead use/connect to the city's power grid. The Port's project also features battery storage for providing electricity to smaller ships. In February 2023 was announced a deal with SSEN (Scottish and Southern Energy Networks/2000-founded subsidiary of SSE plc) for the cruise shore-power project (scheduled for completion in 2025) and SSEN will provide an initial supply of 15MVA.

In 2022, at Portsmouth International Port was installed a solar-and-battery system incorporating solar panels and large-capacity batteries for electricity storage. The system is based on a total of 2660 solar panels (providing ~35% of the Port’s power use) and a 1,5 MWh battery system. The solar panels are roof-mounted on all buildings as well as on large dockside canopies (also providing shade for the parked cars waiting for the ferries).

In August 2023 became operational Portsmouth International Port's solar power system. It consists of a total of 2660 solar panels (mounted on the roofs of several buildings) and high-capacity battery storage. The installation has max capacity 1,2 MW (panels) and 1,3 MW (batteries), which is ~1/3rd (35%) of the Port's electricity. When not used, the generated renewable energy/electricity is exported to the city's power network.

Portsmouth UK cruise terminal

Portsmouth UK tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

• Southsea Seafront: beautiful open space, great for the family. You can have a picnic and enjoy the gardens with flowers and plants or visit the Southsea Castle, the Pyramids Center, or the Reef Aquarium.
• Blue Reef Aquarium: located on Clarence Esplanade, on the Southsea seafront.
• Portsmouth Historic Dockyard: visit the Mary Rose Museum and discover the historic HMS Warrior 1860 and HMS Victory. Located in HM Naval Base at Victory Gate.
• Spinnaker Tower: the tallest structure accessible to the public outside of London. You will be amazed by the Portsmouth Harbour view at Gunwharf Quays.
• Gunwarf Quays: complex for entertainment and retail at the Portsmouth Harbour. Find a lot of bars, restaurants and designers shops. You can spend some time in the cinema or play bowling.
• Charles Dickens Birthplace: one of the greatest writers in the world was born in Portsmouth in 1812 on the 7th of February. It is located in Landport at 1 Mile End Terrace. The museum works from May to September and on February 7th.
• D Day Museum: dates from 1984. It commemorates D Day anniversary and you can see the Overlord Embroidery. It is 272 ft Bayeux Tapestry equivalent. Located on Clarence Esplanade.
• Fort Nelson: in the 1860s Lord Palmerston built the City Defenses. Fort Nelson is a part of them. You can see nearly 400 cannons and guns at the Royal Armouries collection. Located on Portsdown Hill Road.