ABP looks set to become the preferred partner on the Hull Cruise Yorkshire project.
City councillors will be urged to select Britain and the Humber’s leading port operator to join the local authority in delivering what is seen as a potential boon for the tourism economy.
A report will be studied at committee and scrutiny before a cabinet decision later this month.
Read more: Record-breaking car shipments received in Humber as demand drives larger vessel calls
Councillor Daren Hale, leader of Hull City Council, said: “I am delighted that the procurement process has secured Associated British Ports as the council’s preferred partner. The council is very much looking forward to working with ABP who will play a vital role in shaping, developing and operating Hull’s first dedicated cruise port.
“Together we will expand cruise tourism in Hull and the Yorkshire region, making it a sustainable and successful historical and cultural cruise destination, creating new jobs and businesses.”
Five years on from Hull’s status as City of Culture, the plan is for facilities by The Deep - the icon of tourism.
It comes with the backdrop of the huge strides being taken to underline Hull's role as Yorkshire's Maritime City.
While focused on freight in the Humber, ABP has substantial experience elsewhere. Southampton’s £55 million Horizon cruise terminal is a leading example.
Simon Bird, ABP Humber director, said : “We are delighted that ABP has been chosen as the preferred partner to operate the Hull Cruise Terminal.
"As the UK’s biggest port operator with large cruise terminals in places such as Southampton, as well as being a beating heart in the city of Hull, we feel we are the natural choice to be involved in this exciting project.
"We hope it will bring jobs and investment to our area."
The report highlights how the new cruise port will be a major transformative regeneration project delivering almost £87 million to the region over the first 15 years, generating more than 2,800 jobs.
An estimated 30,000 cruise visitors per year would cross the terminal.
Sustainability measures include installing shoreside power, allowing berthed vessels to turn off their main and auxiliary engines while in port – reducing pollutants by about 90 per cent, as well as reducing noise and vibration.
Further road infrastructure investment will also form part of the project in the future.
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