Steve Brine met with executives from Carnival UK and Cunard to hear more about their impact on the local economy during an onboard visit the Queen Victoria while it was docked in Southampton.
The MP for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford met with Simon Ashwell, Vice-President of Corporate Affairs onboard the 300-metre ship which regularly carries out cruises to the Canary Islands and Northern Europe.
Carnival UK employ 1,650 people in their Southampton headquarters and over 2,000 British officers in their seagoing complement, 40 of which live in Winchester and Chandler’s Ford. Sailing primarily from their home in Southampton they contribute over £2 million to the local economy, alongside contributing £1,352,147 in supplier spend in 2021 to the Winchester constituency.
The MP heard about the companies’ work to reduce their carbon rate and its’ 2030 goal of reducing carbon emission intensity 40% in line with the International Maritime Organisation’s commitment. The aspiration is to achieve net carbon-neutral ship operations by 2050.
Following his visit onboard the Queen Victoria, Steve Brine said : “It was an absolute pleasure to be welcomed by Carnival UK and Cunard onboard of their stunning cruise ships. It was actually my first time on one and it was a real eye opener for me and my daughter, Emily, who joined Dad for the day.
“I was really interested to hear about the companies contribution to our economy, especially locally because we know many travellers heading for the Port of Southampton build in a stay in Winchester. We need to make more of that as a city and I am going to work with Winchester City Council and Carnival to see how we can further build on that.”
Pictured : L-R – Simon Ashwell, VP Corporate Affairs Carnival UK; Alex Preston, Maritime Communications, Carnival UK; Steve Brine MP, MP for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford; Steve; Angus Struthers, VP Marketing and Sales, Cunard.
