Meridian Cruise ships News

The head of the UK's biggest cruise lines says major safety changes have been made following the Costa Concordia tragedy one year ago on Sunday.

People from the Meridian region were among those working on and travelling as passengers on the ship when it hit rocks in Italy and listed over on its side. Thirty-two people died. The Italian Captain is accused of straying off couse and is facing court action.

David Dingle, CEO of Carnival UK, talks to our Transport Correspondent Mike Pearse about the safety changes made since the accident.

He insists the industry has responded and is safe and answers criticism that more needs to be done around the issue of ship stability.

Carnival UK owns shipping lines including Cunard, P&O Cruises and Princess. Measures include more drills for passengers and staff, extra life jackets, fewer visits to the bridge, ships keeping to course and heavy objects being secured.

• UK
• Costa Concordia
• Carnival UK

Work has begun to build the UK's largest ever cruise ship.

The new 141,000 tonne ship is being built in Italy for P&O cruises. It will be launched in spring 2015.

It will take 3,611 passengers. The ship is yet to be named.

• UK
• Cruise ships
• construction

The cruise company P & O has announced a day of celebration to be held on Tuesday 3rd July to mark 175 years of the company operating in the South. 'The Grand Event' will see all seven of its ships gather in Southampton ahead of a procession.

• Business
• P & O
• Southampton

Shipping Minister Mike Penning has written to John Denham, Labour MP for Southampton Itchen, to confirm that Liverpool City Council may have to pay a financial penalty for commencing it's port turnaround operations too early.

The fact that Liverpool City Council has now pre-empted the Commission and commenced turnaround before a State Aids decision has been made does leave it open, in the event of a finding of unlawful Aid, to the possibility of financial penalties, including repayment of grants from the European Regional Development Fund. This is however a matter for the Commission."

I welcome the Minister's confirmation that Liverpool do not have permission to start cruises and may have to pay a penalty. But the Minister should be stepping in himself, not leaving it to Brussels to take action.”

• Analysis
• Transport
• Southampton

You're breaking the law - that's the accusation made by port officials in Southampton today as the war of words with Merseyside rival Liverpool reached boiling point.

The dispute has been simmering for months: Southampton determined to protect its business, Liverpool desperate for a share of the lucrative trade.

In the latest move the European Union says it's investigating and Liverpool could face heavy fines. Our transport correspondent Mike Pearse has more.

• Analysis
• Transport
• Southampton

Our transport correspondent Mike Pearse has sent us this picture of the Ocean Countess arriving in Liverpool. The port there wants to operate as departure terminal for cruises, putting Southampton's cruise trade at risk. Firms in the south say what Liverpool's doing is against EU law.

• Analysis
• Transport
• Southampton

Two cruise liners have been turned away from an Argentinian port after docking at the Falkland Islands. Southampton-based Adonia and the American Star Princess have not been allowed to berth at Ushuaia. P&O says passengers will be refunded the cost of all shore excursions.

• UK
• Falklands
• Adonia