A new cruise terminal building could see the return of Cunard line’s famous transatlantic crossings from Liverpool for the first time since 1968.

Liverpool City Council is to appoint advisors to carry out an in-depth study into the design and cost of constructing a terminal capable of handling 3,600 passengers.

Princes Jetty at Princes Parade, close to the landing stage, is the preferred location for the new development.

The number of vessels visiting Liverpool has doubled since it became a turnaround facility in 2012 with passenger number up from 38,656 four years ago to an expected 86,365 this year.

The new site would include passport control, passenger lounge, café, toilets, taxi rank, vehicle pick up point, coach layover area and a car park.

Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool says: “The temporary cruise liner building has been a tremendous success and served us well, but a city of Liverpool’s standing and ambition needs a permanent building if we are to continue the growth we’ve seen in recent years.

“It’s always been my ambition to develop an iconic terminal which makes Liverpool a world-class destination for cruise liners.

“What we are doing now is drawing up detailed plans which will give us a clear picture of the costs and then enable us to make a decision as to whether to proceed.”

Angus Struthers, director at Cunard, says: “Liverpool’s ambitions to develop its cruise business have been clear for some time. We’re therefore delighted that today’s announcement takes the development of a new cruise terminal into its next phase.

“Liverpool will forever be Cunard’s spiritual home, and, as the world witnessed with the Three Queens spectacular last May, the city’s pride in this association, and the level of interest in Cunard across the whole North West of England, remains strong.

Disney Cruise Line will be coming to Britain for the first time in 2016 with Liverpool just one of two English destinations they will sail in to.

A final decision on the project is expected later in the year.

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