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Bunker sales volumes from UK cruise ship visits look set to increase further over the next few years following news that the port of Southampton intends to build a fifth terminal.

Just two years after opening a fourth terminal at the south coast port, owners Associated British Ports said the new facility was necessary to meet rising demand.

According to planners, the new GBP30 million (US$46.7 million) terminal will be able to accommodate even the largest ships, such as Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.

Doug Morrison, port director for Associated British Ports, Southampton, said: 'We are very proud of our port here in Southampton and the building of a fifth cruise terminal will cement our position at the forefront of the European cruise industry.'

Once completed, Southampton's terminal five will be the largest turnaround facility in northern Europe as Associated British Ports aims to secure the port's future as a leading cruise destination.

Cruising has become a growth industry in the UK with around 300 ships stopping over the past 12 months and 20 percent growth expected in 2011.

In addition to Southampton, other UK ports have also been vying for a slice of the action. Portsmouth has been welcoming niche cruise lines and Liverpool recently received European funding to build its cruise terminal as it aims to restore its maritime heritage through the leisure industry.

Southampton is already one of the busiest ports in northern Europe. In addition to cruise ship growth, the port has also achieved container growth in 2010. "We have had a very good year, we have seen a substantial increases in the container business in the Far East," Morrison said.