Few of today’s cruise ships are the right size to access the Hamilton and St George’s with even fewer available to serve the local market, Transport Minister Terry Lister said.As Government prepares to open a study on Bermuda’s shipping channels for public discussion this week, Mr Lister responded to calls for a return to small-size vessels.The Minister said Government has met with cruise lines operating smaller ships, in search of vessels capable of docking in St. George’s and Hamilton.Town Cut at St George’s can accommodate ships up to 680 ft long and 94 ft wide, while Two Rock Passage admits vessels up to 720 ft to dock in Hamilton.The Government-commissioned study of the channels shows that, out of the 165 cruise ships currently available for the North American and European markets, 26 can safely pass through Town Cut. Nine of these are to be retired in the next few years.Just one of 19 new vessels on order for cruise lines will be able to pass through Town Cut and widening the East End passage could cost between $48 and $71 million.Meanwhile, the Minister said about 30 ships now in service are technically capable of docking in Hamilton, including the Veendam and three sister ships.Most, he said, are luxury brand ships, deployed to “exotic destinations” such as Tahiti, Galapagos and South America worth more to cruise lines than the ticket price for a weekly Bermuda cruise.The Island will see more than 20 cruise visits from luxury ships over 2011 and 2012, from cruise companies Silverseas, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Princess Cruises and Azamara. Most other companies serve South America and the Mediterranean.“Cruise lines have consistently told us that North America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are primarily large ship markets, and the older and smaller ships with fewer on-board amenities have a difficult time competing with the newer ships in the market place,” the Minister said.“Nevertheless, we continue to aggressively pursue the possibility of finding smaller ships that are capable of docking in St George’s and Hamilton.”