Liverpool cruise liner terminal-unfair competition?

The government has decided not to allow ships to start and finish cruises from Liverpool cruise liner terminal. The only ships that can use this facility are ships that are "calling."
I feel the government came to this decision to appease Europe.
I fail to see how Liverpool would be taking trade away from Southampton-250 miles away on a different coast.
I hope Liverpool City Council and it's partners appeal this decision, get it overturned, and allow the cruise liner facility to come into it's own.