Greenwich Cruise Liner Terminal Given All-Clear

The Mayor of London’s office has given the go-ahead to build London’s first ever passenger cruise terminal in the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

Planning permission was originally granted in 2012 for a passenger terminal on the Enderby Wharf site, however new European legislation that came into force earlier this year required cruise operators to stay for longer in London with vessels starting and ending trips in the capital.

Consent for a revised and updated cruise terminal scheme at Enderby Wharf, SE10, was approved in July 2015 by the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s Planning Board. The Mayor of London’s Deputy Mayor for Planning Edward Lister has now also given the application the go-ahead.

All ships using the Enderby Wharf terminal must comply with international, national and local emissions legislation, which requires vessels to burn less than 0.1 per cent sulphur emissions. EU regulations mean all cruise liners must swap fuels when they reach regulated waters, which requires them to burn low sulphur on their approach to London and while in port, resulting in a 97 per cent reduction in emissions.

The Mayor’s office also asked an independent air quality consultancy, Amec, to study the impact of emissions. While it recognised there could be some moderate adverse impact on occasion, it also acknowledged the height, speed and heat of ship emissions disperse more efficiently in comparison to motor vehicles. Recognising the levels of background pollution already experienced in the borough, GBP 400,000 has been secured towards ongoing environmental monitoring or improving air quality through the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s Air Quality Action Plan.

A low emissions transport scheme has also been secured to minimise construction and operational traffic.

“This is a very important step forward, not just for Greenwich, but for the capital. Greenwich’s heritage and its riverfront already ensure that the Royal Borough receives millions of visits by tourists each year, contributing some GBP 1.1 billion to the local economy and supporting 16,000 jobs. This landmark cruise liner development will bring many thousands more visitors to the borough, and provide a major boost to tourism,” Danny Thorpe, the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, said.

“The council is committed to improving air quality in the borough, and recognises that this was an area of concern for local residents. I hope that it will be reassuring for residents to learn that the Mayor has submitted our measures to independent scrutiny and found them to be satisfactory.”

The commercial cruise liner terminal at Enderby Wharf is expected to be up and running by 2017 and receive up to 55 cruise ships a year. The terminal will accommodate medium-sized cruise liners up to 820ft long.