NEW Liverpool City Council leader Joe Anderson has promised to resolve the Cruise Terminal “turnaround” fiasco.

Rules governing its £10m EU building grant prevent cruise liners starting and ending voyages from the stage.

As a result, Thomson Cruises scrapped its 30-cruise programme from the port, Saga Cruises halted plans for a base here and Fred Olsen Cruise Line will “review” (ie, possibly scrap) its 2012 Liverpool departures.

Consequently, the city and local firms lose out on millions of pounds annually from servicing this lucrative business.

However, the success of cruise liner calls over the past two years proves Liverpool’s premier destination status.

“It’s a crazy situation and I promise you I shall sort this out,” said Cllr Anderson.

“Every one knows about our maritime history and how it was the city’s foundation.

“We’re increasingly dependent on tourism and as a visitor destination to keep our local economy going.

“The cruise turnaround market could be fantastically important for that.

“It’s unacceptable that the European grant situation stops us having a full cruise terminal facility for departures.