 The new terminal would allow cruise liners to dock in the city |
The Liverpool Culture Company has defended its plans for a cruise landing stage at the Pier Head after criticism from an industry representative. William Gibbons, from the Passenger Shipping Association, said the terminal should allow ships to start and end journeys at the city.
The current plans only accommodate day trips and ships would not be able to stay docked for long periods.
The Culture Company said a longer-term dock would take too long to build.
Work on the new terminal was due to start in July but has been delayed, prompting fears that it would not be ready in time for the city's Capital of Culture celebrations in 2008.
'Just incredible'
Langton Dock, in Bootle, currently has long-term docking facilities, but the Culture Company said including longer term docking facilities at the new terminal would have taken too long.
Mr Gibson said: "Building a cruise facility which doesn't cover turnaround cruises is just incredible.
"I think if you ask cruise companies that are looking to home port in Liverpool you would get a very clear message that we desperately want a decent turnaround facility."
But the Culture Company's chief operations officer, Jason Harbrow, said it would "make the best of the facilities we have got".
He added: "We have employed a professional cruise manager who starts his post next week to ensure that we have ships in the city in 2007 and before."
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