Cruise ships will still be visiting Portland Port this year after all sailings disappeared from its website when it emerged the port would be used to house asylum seekers on a barge.

After it was announced last week that the port would be hosting the Bibby Stockholm vessel accommodating more than 500 asylum seekers a message appeared on a section of the port website saying the cruise calendar was ‘under review’.

The Echo reported in March the port would be welcoming 56 cruise ships this year carrying a total of up to 130,000 passengers between them - a major local economy boost.

The first of these ships was the AIDAbella which called in on Tuesday, March 7.

The cruise season looked to be in jeopardy however when the message appeared on the website - but the port has now confirmed ships will be sailing in.

And after the Echo made inquiries yesterday, the message on the website changed to read: “All cruise calls are proceeding as scheduled at Portland Port. For more information about individual visits, please contact the cruise line involved.”

A spokesperson for Portland Port said: “The cruise ships are all coming as scheduled, it is very much business as usual.”

The spokesperson added: “There are no changes because of the barge.

“We are going to get more details out about the cruise calls shortly. The first ship has already visited and more are due over the coming months.”

Speaking after it was announced the Bibby Stockholm vessel would be used as accommodation for asylum seekers, Bill Reeves, chief executive of Portland Port, “welcomed the investment in the port and the local economy”.

He said: “We will be working closely with the Home Office to maximise the benefits and business opportunities while minimising any impact on public services.

“We understand local concerns and, as the port operator and a local business, have a vested interest of our own in the safe and secure use of the vessel.”

However, the plan is not supported by Dorset Council and South Dorset MP Richard Drax.

It comes as a petition against the barge coming to Portland has been launched, with more than 600 signatures protesting the plans from the Home Office.