WORK on the first phase of a £10m project to expand the Port of Poole has started.

Once completed, not only will the port be able to accommodate larger cruise ships, it will also lead to a 50 per cent increase in cargo tonnage across the quayside, experts say.

The Poole Harbour Commissioners’ (PHC) masterplan, which will provide the commercial port with a new 200m long deep water South Quay, is due for completion by the end of this year.

“This is an important step forward in the expansion of the port,” said PHC chief executive Jim Stewart. “It means we will be able to accommodate vessels up to 220 metres long in a variety of different sectors including yacht transportation, bulk cargo, short sea containers and project cargo.”

The new South Quay will require 1,800 tonnes of steel piles, all of which will be delivered by sea.

A significant amount of material needed for the project will also be taken from the port’s maintenance dredging scheme - removing the need for road deliveries.

Mr Stewart said: “It will allow us to take advantage of the rapidly expanding cruise market.”

Currently, Poole can only accommodate smaller cruise ships but, with these new facilities, the port could handle visiting cruise ships with more than 1,000 passengers.

“All this means we will be able to strengthen links between the port and the local economy,” explained Mr Stewart. “In particular the significant cluster of marine related and tourism industries in the Poole area.”

PHC have appointed civil engineering company BAM Nuttall Ltd as the main contractor.

Richard Hayman, of BAM, said: “We are delighted to have secured this prestigious contract and to have the opportunity to continue our long and successful history of working in the port.

“We are looking forward to working in collaboration with PHC and the local community to safely deliver Poole Harbour’s new South Quay.”

Last year the Echo reported how Poole’s ambition to be increasingly known as a cruise destination took a step forward - with the arrival of a new liner.

The 122ft luxury cruise liner, Clio, with 90-passengers, visited Poole during the summer.

Clio, which carried mainly American tourists, operated between Poole and Edinburgh, calling at ports in Ireland, Scotland and the west coast of England.