Singapore will open its new International Cruise Terminal (ICT) in the second quarter of 2012 to meet the anticipated growth of cruising in the region. The ICT will accommodate the largest of new generation cruise vessels and complement the existing Singapore Cruise Centre, which is undergoing rejuvenation and targeted for completion in April.
In 2011, Singapore welcomed 394 ship calls and 942,000 passengers, with more than half of the visitors from foreign countries. From 2002 to 2011, the compounded annual growth rate for cruise passengers was 3.6 percent. Notable maiden calls for 2012 include Costa Cruises’ Costa Deliziosa, which is one of the company’s newest ships, and Royal Caribbean International’s Voyager of the Seas, the largest ship ever to call in Asia.
Singapore is a major transportation hub with extensive air, sea and land connectivity. Singapore’s Changi Airport is currently served by 101 airlines with more than 5,500 weekly flights to 206 cities.
The ICT will double Singapore’s berth capacity and accommodate the world’s largest cruise ships of up to 220,000 gross tons and measuring over 1,000 feet -- the size of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. The new $400 million ICT will feature a finger pier design and advanced technology capable of providing a 30-minute passenger turnaround. Facilities include a spacious arrival/departure hall, state-of-the-art bridges connecting ship to pier, a large ground transportation area, and designated areas for public transportation. Architecturally, the terminal has waves and a nautical design.
The ICT will complement the existing cruise terminal Singapore Cruise Centre at HarbourFront, which is itself undergoing an $11 million rejuvenation program targeted for completion by April. Rejuvenation plans include the optimization of operational space, revamping of commercial and retail mix, upgrading of terminal hardware and software, as well as creating a holiday and garden themed atmosphere.
As a region, Southeast Asia’s potential as a cruise destination and source market is gaining more attention from industry players. “The Southeast Asian region enjoys many innate favorable factors for cruise development, such as a huge population base and growing affluence that will drive demand for travel,” said Dr. Liu Zinan, managing director-China and Asia Pacific for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “Together with more active developments in the cruise infrastructure here recently, the region’s cruise industry is now poised to grow beyond its infancy stage, and in the long run, become the next exotic cruise paradise of the East. Also, in view of the vast economic benefits that cruising can bring to the region in terms of tourist arrivals, job creation and infrastructure development, it is all the more essential for governments and the industry to work closely on growing and promoting the cruise sector.”
Indonesia is also forging ahead with cruise initiatives. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Indonesia will welcome 200 cruise calls in 2012, representing almost 118,800 passengers. Comparatively, in 2002, Indonesia had less than 100 cruise ship calls and just three cruise destinations. In terms of development, Indonesia is not only seeking to make Bali a major cruise hub by 2014 but is developing 66 other “marine ecotourism destinations” to attract more cruise lines and shipboard travelers.
Last year, Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy hosted a seminar for some 200 international cruise executives, Indonesian tourism officials and regional leaders, local port agencies, ground handlers and other cruise industry players. The seminar focused on how Indonesia could enhance its attractiveness as a cruise destination and infrastructure improvements. In April, Indonesia will be hosting a cruise workshop for the region’s industry players to share best practices and strengthen collaboration in port infrastructure growth and development of regional itineraries. Besides promoting cruise development through workshops and seminars, a key development in Indonesia’s cruise infrastructure network is the enhancement of Benoa Port in Bali, which has made it possible for the port to accommodate bigger cruise ships.
In 2011, Singapore welcomed 394 ship calls and 942,000 passengers, with more than half of the visitors from foreign countries. From 2002 to 2011, the compounded annual growth rate for cruise passengers was 3.6 percent. Notable maiden calls for 2012 include Costa Cruises’ Costa Deliziosa, which is one of the company’s newest ships, and Royal Caribbean International’s Voyager of the Seas, the largest ship ever to call in Asia.
Singapore is a major transportation hub with extensive air, sea and land connectivity. Singapore’s Changi Airport is currently served by 101 airlines with more than 5,500 weekly flights to 206 cities.
The ICT will double Singapore’s berth capacity and accommodate the world’s largest cruise ships of up to 220,000 gross tons and measuring over 1,000 feet -- the size of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. The new $400 million ICT will feature a finger pier design and advanced technology capable of providing a 30-minute passenger turnaround. Facilities include a spacious arrival/departure hall, state-of-the-art bridges connecting ship to pier, a large ground transportation area, and designated areas for public transportation. Architecturally, the terminal has waves and a nautical design.
The ICT will complement the existing cruise terminal Singapore Cruise Centre at HarbourFront, which is itself undergoing an $11 million rejuvenation program targeted for completion by April. Rejuvenation plans include the optimization of operational space, revamping of commercial and retail mix, upgrading of terminal hardware and software, as well as creating a holiday and garden themed atmosphere.
As a region, Southeast Asia’s potential as a cruise destination and source market is gaining more attention from industry players. “The Southeast Asian region enjoys many innate favorable factors for cruise development, such as a huge population base and growing affluence that will drive demand for travel,” said Dr. Liu Zinan, managing director-China and Asia Pacific for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “Together with more active developments in the cruise infrastructure here recently, the region’s cruise industry is now poised to grow beyond its infancy stage, and in the long run, become the next exotic cruise paradise of the East. Also, in view of the vast economic benefits that cruising can bring to the region in terms of tourist arrivals, job creation and infrastructure development, it is all the more essential for governments and the industry to work closely on growing and promoting the cruise sector.”
Indonesia is also forging ahead with cruise initiatives. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Indonesia will welcome 200 cruise calls in 2012, representing almost 118,800 passengers. Comparatively, in 2002, Indonesia had less than 100 cruise ship calls and just three cruise destinations. In terms of development, Indonesia is not only seeking to make Bali a major cruise hub by 2014 but is developing 66 other “marine ecotourism destinations” to attract more cruise lines and shipboard travelers.
Last year, Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy hosted a seminar for some 200 international cruise executives, Indonesian tourism officials and regional leaders, local port agencies, ground handlers and other cruise industry players. The seminar focused on how Indonesia could enhance its attractiveness as a cruise destination and infrastructure improvements. In April, Indonesia will be hosting a cruise workshop for the region’s industry players to share best practices and strengthen collaboration in port infrastructure growth and development of regional itineraries. Besides promoting cruise development through workshops and seminars, a key development in Indonesia’s cruise infrastructure network is the enhancement of Benoa Port in Bali, which has made it possible for the port to accommodate bigger cruise ships.
Source: travelpulse.com
