Portsmouth International Port


Portsmouth International Port, also known as Portsmouth Continental Ferry Port, is the harbour authority for the city of Portsmouth, Hampshire, located on the south coast of Great Britain.

History

Portsmouth investigated three locations for a ferry port at the end of the 1960s, before the current location was chosen. The choice was based on cost and the likely benefit of cross-channel ferries. The site was at the end of the newly constructed M275. Originally built with two berths the site opened in 1976 with the Earl William running to the Channel Islands, the Viking Victory running to Cherbourg, and Brittany Ferries running to Saint-Malo.

Continental Ferry Services

Ferry OperatorDestinationAverage Duration of CrossingFrequencyVessel
Brittany FerriesOuistreham, France7hrsUp to three departures a day."Mont St Michel"
"Normandie"
Brittany FerriesCherbourg-Octeville, France4hrs 45minsIrregular cruise ferry sailings."Cotentin" "Salamanca"
"Santona" "Galicia"
Brittany FerriesLe Havre, France6hrsFour departures a week."Cotentin"
Brittany FerriesSt Malo, France8hrs 30minsSummer: One departure per day
Winter: One departure every other day.
"Saint Malo"
Brittany FerriesSt Malo, France15hrs Once per week"Islander"
Brittany FerriesZierbena, Spain32hrsTwo departures a week."Salamanca" "Santona" "Galicia"
Brittany FerriesSantander, Spain34hrsTwo departures a week."Salamanca" "Santona" "Galicia"
Brittany FerriesSt Peter Port, Guernsey7hrs 30mins to 10hrs,
Six passenger & freight departures a week,"Islander"
DFDS SeawaysSt Helier, Jersey8hrsOnce daily Passenger and freight
Once daily freight only
"Stena Vinga"
"Caesarea Trader"

Isle of Wight Ferry Services

Ferry services to the Isle of Wight, operated by Wightlink, also depart from Portsmouth from other terminals within the city, away from Portsmouth International Port. The car ferry, which sails to Fishbourne, uses a dedicated terminal based in Old Portsmouth. In addition, a passenger catamaran service sails from Portsmouth Harbour railway station to Ryde Pier.
Hovertravel also operate passenger hovercraft services from Southsea beach to Ryde.

Future developments

In early 2019, it was announced that owners Portsmouth City Council had agreed to invest £33.7m to expand the Port. £18.7m would go towards developments within Portsmouth International Port. This would include levelling and extending Berth 2 so it could accommodate ships up to 255m in length, upgrading the passenger terminal to provide dedicated facilities for cruise passengers and replacing the 35 year-old passenger boarding tower. It is predicted that the improvements will lead to an increase in the number of cruise passengers at the Port from 50,000 to 150,000 in the coming years.
The remaining £15m will be invested in improving facilities at Portico, who operate two commercial quays within the Port.