Cruise ships to dock 70km inland

ANDALUCIA’S capital Sevilla is planning to reclaim its former seafaring glory.

The city – which is 70km from sea – is to begin dredging the Guadalquivir river in a bid to make it suitable for cruise ships.

This could challenge Cadiz’s status as Andalucia’s main deepwater port and will allow ships of up to 250 metres to dock.

Dredging is due to be completed in 2013 with the total project finished by 2020.

Marbella meanwhile, will be hot on its heels. The Andalucia port authority is now looking for bids to expand Marbella’s Marina and La Bajadilla port by at least three times.

Qatar sheikh Andullah Ben Nasser al-Thani, who recently bought Malaga football club, has reportedly shown interest.