There will be no cruise activity on the River Mersey for months as the global shipping industry battles the deadly coronavirus outbreak.
Cruise Liverpool has announced Covid-19 is having a direct impact on operations, and that no vessels will be calling at the facility until June.
A statement from the head of Liverpool’s cruise terminal operations, Angie Redhead, released on Wednesday said most cruise lines were pausing operations, meaning calls at the city’s terminal will be cancelled.
She said the terminal was meant to welcome more than 100 vessels this year.
Ms Redhead said: “We are in unprecedented times, and coronavirus is having a direct impact on operations here at Cruise Liverpool.
“The majority of cruise lines are pausing their operations by either 30 or 60 days, laying over their vessels with just a skeleton crew on board.”
The post said the suspension of activity will potentially affect up to 12 scheduled cruise calls to Liverpool - in March, April and May.
Ms Redhead added: “This suspension means there will be no cruise activity on the River Mersey, which is extremely disappointing as we were looking forward to welcoming more than 100 vessels this year.
“However, we fully support the decision made, and will continue to work closely with the cruise industry.
“We hope to return to normal cruise operations as soon as possible.”
Yesterday the city's mayor Mayor Joe Anderson told the Liverpool Echo that Liverpool's £3.3billion tourism and hospitality industries will 'go the wall' without an urgent and significant government support package.
