Pathfinder sister company Southern Maritime Services (SMS) has secured an agreement to provide support for rope handling services at Portsmouth International Port (PIP).
SMS staff will provide back-up to PIP’s own specialist teams who moor and untie ferries and cruise ships arriving at the docks.
SMS already provides similar support services to terminal manager Portico, handling the ropes for ships at the adjacent cargo berths in Portsmouth port.
The PIP work builds on SMS’ main activity in Portsmouth, which involves providing baggage handling and storing services for the growing numbers of cruise ships calling in the port. The current contract has recently been extended until 2021.
SMS Director Kevin Hulme explained: “We are delighted to expand our work supporting activities at Portsmouth port. The rope handling at PIP will take on additional significance as the volume of cruise ships calling in the port increases.”
Ian Diaper, PIP Head of Operations, said: “Our ambitions to grow Portsmouth’s cruise offer means we need the appropriate skills in place to help manage the additional calls. With SMS in place to provide this support, it means we can deliver a reliable and efficient service for our customers.
“This builds on the current excellent service SMS has provided the port over the years and we look forward to working with them as the business expands.”
