Cruise lay-up response
cruise ships in the Clyde
Responding to proposals to lay-up cruise ships at Greenock, Inverclyde Council Leader, Councillor Stephen McCabe said: “As an area cruise ships are a strong growth market and one that, post covid-19, we would expect to continue to contribute significantly to the Scottish economy.
"We have also as a community shown that we are there for people in a crisis and that Greenock will always be a port of safe harbour. At this time though we cannot support a proposal to lay-up cruise ships in the Clyde and we would urge that any proposals are reconsidered as a matter of urgency.
"At this time during a global pandemic and health crisis it wouldn’t be appropriate to put a significant number of people into one location which has the potential to put strain on our public health services.
"We do not want to put anyone, including the crew of the cruise ships, into any harm and it is crucially important that nothing is done that interferes with the stay at home messages.
"We want many more people to visit and discover the amazing things we have in Inverclyde, but our message is not right now. The council’s Chief Executive will be writing to the Chief Executive of Peel Ports to confirm the council’s opposition to this and to urge them to reconsider any proposals at this time.”