Carnival Australias PO to Stop Homeporting in Fremantle

P&O Cruises Australia Australias cruise line major Carnival Australia has decided to stop the homeporting of a number of its cruise ship services at the countrys Fremantle port. Carnival Australia confirmed that, while P&O will not base a ship in Fremantle, ships from other lines in the Carnival Australia group will make nearly 20 calls to Western Australia next year. The cruise company said that the decision on homeporting in Fremantle was based on commercial considerations combined with uncertainty in relation to being able to deliver published itinerary calls to some regional ports in Western Australia. We will continue to working with the State Government of Western Australia to resolve these local issues so that we can make a contribution to the long term success of the West Australian cruise market and its economic value particularly at regional destinations, Carnival Australias representative said. When contacted by World Maritime News, Fremantle Ports Acting CEO, Captain Allan Gray, said that Fremantle Ports is disappointed with the decision by Carnival Australia to cease the homeporting of P&O and Princess cruise line services out of Fremantle from 2018. Gray added that the decision to withdraw from Fremantle is because of difficulties with other WA port destinations, as far as the port is aware. Fremantle Ports informed that it worked with Carnival to accommodate the homeporting of Pacific Eden and various Princess line vessels in recent years, during which the arrangements at the port have worked well for the company. In recent years, Fremantle Ports has spent well over AUD 2 million refurbishing the Fremantle Passenger Terminal and further upgrading of this building is planned as part of Fremantle Ports wider plans for the regeneration of Victoria Quays western end. World Maritime News Staff