Forth Ports Limited, one of Great Britain’s leading port operators, has launched a new brand – Capital Cruising.

The launch of the new brand comes as the company seeks to promote its unique capital city connection to cruise operators across the world. The company operates 8 commercial ports across Great Britain, including key gateways to the capital cities of London and Edinburgh and welcomes over 200,000 cruise passengers each year.

Capital Cruising is a union of cruise terminals that gives passengers unrivalled access to the heart of London and Edinburgh, allowing passengers more time to enjoy the finest attractions in the cities. The London International Cruise Terminal, based at Port of Tilbury on the river Thames, is uniquely situated as the closest deep water port giving access to London, while the Edinburgh ports are all within 15 minutes of the city centre.

The launch of the brand is a strategic move by the company, as it seeks to capitalise on this growing industry. Robert Mason, Head of Cruise in Scotland explains; “We are very privileged to welcome passengers into our ports and we ensure their first impression of the great cities they are visiting is impressive. We work very closely with local partners to provide visitors with a fantastic experience. The heritage and attractions available within our port destinations puts London and Edinburgh high on the lists of top tourism destinations, and Capital Cruising puts the passengers at the centre of the action.”

2016 is a significant year for the company – with the highest number of cruise traffic to date. Steve Lyons, Head of Cruise at The London International Cruise Terminal adds: “The exceptional figures of cruise ships booked to dock with us this year is testament to the continuous drive to invest in our ports and the full experience we offer to visiting passengers. Not only do we offer unrivalled access to the top tourist destinations of London and Edinburgh, but we are proud of the tailored opportunities we offer visitors to make sure they get a first class experience in the capitals.”

2016 also marks the 6th successive year of growth for the cruise industry in Scotland. Scottish ports welcomed a record-breaking 460,546 visitors in 2015, a rise of 14.8% from 2014. Cruise ship calls also increased 9.6% to reach 501, generating an estimated £54.6million for the economy through passenger spend. The London International Cruise Terminal also saw significant growth in 2015 with almost 100% increase in passengers. Cruise and Maritime Voyages has announced its new ship joining the fleet in 2017 will home-port in Tilbury, maximising the advantages of road and rail infrastructure that the terminal enjoys.