Viking River Cruises has future plans to sail the Mississippi River, but for now, the international river tours company is getting a jump on its plans to land in Vicksburg with the assistance of the city.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen Monday authorized Mayor George Flaggs Jr. to send a letter to Viking representative DS & TC Management of Coppell, Texas, supporting the cruise line’s decision to begin the river cruises, and help Viking find docking facilities along the riverfront.

According to the letter, the city is willing to lease riverfront space to Viking for up to 25 years. No site has been named, but City Attorney Nancy Thomas said the site would be north of City Front. She said the city has the authority under its charter to lease riverfront space for up to 20 years.

Attempts to contact Viking or a representative for DS & TC were unsuccessful.

Flaggs said river cruise lines in the past have asked for exclusive docking rights, but Viking is the first to get the city’s approval.

“This is a good move for both of us,” he said. “Having Viking come in and set up their dock will clean up the site and help the riverfront. This is a situation where we can’t lose.”

Flaggs said improving the riverfront and City Front were part of his campaign platform, adding he wants to see a marina on the river, an idea promoted by U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson.

“If you go to 10 South (restaurant) and look down (at the riverfront) the potential is enormous,” Flaggs said.

Bill Seratt, executive director of the Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, said Viking is looking for a site to display its brand.

“I’m pleased to see so much interest in the Mississippi River and seeing vessels come here,” he said, adding VCVB officials anticipate about 25,000 passengers will visit the city in the next few years. He said American Queen Steamboat Co., which operates the American Queen riverboat tours, would soon be launching a new riverboat, the American King.

Seratt said Viking’s boats will not resemble riverboats, but will be similar to the boats the company uses on its European river tours. He said Viking’s entry into the Mississippi River cruise market could help get more tourists interested in touring the Mississippi

“I’m happy to see the competition,” he said. “These are expensive trips and the increased activity could help bring the prices down.”

Established in 1997 by a Scandinavian and Dutch consortium, Viking Cruises is a global corporation headquartered in the United States with its main operational headquarters in Basel, Switzerland. The company currently offers cruises along rivers in Europe, Russia, China, Southeast Asia and Egypt, and in 2013 began ocean cruises. Its river cruise division is the world’s largest river cruise line, according to the company.