The Port of Portland (UK) has opened a cruise berth extension in time for the summer 2017 cruise season.

The extension was unveiled at a ceremony earlier in the week.

The ceremony, involving port staff, tenants and guests, was kicked off with speeches from Christopher Langham, Chairman of Portland Port Group, followed by Richard Drax, who then cut the ribbon and declared the extension open.

The cruise berth extension was the result of several years or careful planning and makes Portland Port one of only a few on the English Channel that can handle vessels with overall lengths of 340 meters, said the port, in a statement.

Bill Reeves, CEO at Portland Port commented: “This is a key investment for the port and demonstrates our commitment to the continued development of our infrastructure. The berth extension enhances our ability to accommodate some of the largest cruise liners in service today, as well as those being launched over the next few years.”

The first vessel to use the extension is likely to be Holland America’s Koningsdam on May 11, followed by the Disney Magic on May 23.