Portland's cruise ship business increasing

PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- City leaders in Portland say a megaberth proposed as part of Governor Baldacci's bond package will help accommodate the growing number of cruise ship visits.

This year 75 visits are scheduled. That's up from 45 last year. City officials say the number of visits has more than doubled in the past 5-years.

Building a new deep water pier would allow larger ships to dock at the Ocean Gateway terminal. It would also create more berthing space in the harbor when more than one ship is visiting at the same time.

All of the permits for the project have already been secured. That means work on it can begin soon after the funding comes through. The governor has included 8-million dollars for the project in his bond package. The project is expected to create about 100 construction jobs.