The port of Falmouth has entered into a sister port relationship “to promote good will and friendship” with its namesake in the Caribbean.
The agreement between Falmouth, Cornwall and Falmouth, Jamaica, was formally signed at the cruise industry’s largest trade show, Cruise Shipping Miami, last week.
The ports of Falmouth, which have historical links and many similarities, hope the agreement will encourage greater economic benefits – even though they are thousands of miles apart.
Following the signing of the document in Miami, the agreement was carried back to Falmouth, Cornwall for signature by Falmouth Harbour Commissioners – following the old Packet ships tradition, which for 150 years was the only means of transporting mail in and out of Britain. By the early 1700s Packet ships were sailing regularly to Jamaica.
Mike Reynolds, A&P Falmouth’s port operations director, said: “We are proud to be able to highlight the fantastic ongoing relationship and historical links we have with our namesake in Jamaica.
“Falmouth has been able to develop a marvelous cruise destination, which can accommodate the world’s largest cruise ships and is now paying dividends in terms of the wider local economy.
“This is something we would love to be able to emulate, albeit on a much smaller scale, in Falmouth, Cornwall, and who knows, perhaps one day we will be promoting a cruise from Falmouth to Falmouth.”
David Ellis, Chairman of Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, added: “We welcome this wonderful opportunity to build on our relationship with our friends in Jamaica, recognising the similarities between the two ports and the benefit the international links will bring.”
