Singapore to open new cruise terminal in 2010

Singapore's cruise industry will enter a new phase in 2010 when the International Cruise Terminal at Marina South opens. It will effectively double the city's cruise infrastructure, and allow Singapore to better tap the growth potential of the cruise industry in the region. Ocean Shipping Consultants has projected that Asia (Greater China, South Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia) can expect a 44 per cent growth in cruise passengers from 1.07 million in 2005 to 1.54 million by 2010. By 2015, the number of Asian cruise passengers is expected to hit 2.02 million, an 88.79 per cent growth over 2005.

The new Marina South facility will have two berths served by a common terminal building and will be able to accommodate the largest ships both currently in service as well as on the order books with a capacity of 5,400 (the Genesis-class ships). Ships of up to 220,000 GRT (Gross Tonnage) and measuring up to 360m (1,181 feet) in length with a draft of up to 11.5m (37.73 feet) will be able to berth here.

The two new berths will complement the current two berths at the Singapore Cruise Centre at HarbourFront. Both terminals are only a 10- to 15-minute drive from each other.

These details were announced on 11 March by Singapore Tourism Board's Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive, Mr Lim Neo Chian, at the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention 2008 in Miami. The plan to proceed with the construction of the terminal was first announced on 31 January at the Tourism Industry Night 2008.

Mr Lim said that the new terminal would comply with the requirements under the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS), as the Singapore Cruise Centre does currently.

Both facilities will also significantly increase Singapore's cruise passenger handling capacity and help to meet Singapore's target of achieving 1.6 million cruise passenger throughput by 2015. Last year, Singapore Cruise Centre reported a cruise passenger throughput of over 943,000 in 2007, an increase of more than 10% over 2006.

Well served by a network of roads and a future link to the underground rail transport system, cruise passengers at the new terminal can look forward to easy access and seamless connection to other parts of Singapore, including the Changi International Airport which is a 20-minute drive away.

It will also be easily accessible to Marina Bay, Singapore's new downtown and financial services hub, and its necklace of attractions which include the Singapore Flyer, the circuit for the inaugural 2008 FORMULA 1™ SingTel Singapore Grand Prix and the S$5 billion (US$3 billion) integrated resort, The Marina Bay SandsT.

The Bay also boasts Singapore's first reservoir in the city which will offer a new recreational and lifestyle attraction, as well as the 101-hectare (249.6 acres) Gardens by the Bay which will feature waterfront gardens, green sanctuaries and scenic settings.

In addition, in early 2010, the Resorts World at Sentosa Integrated Resort will open, while the inaugural Youth Olympic Games will be hosted in Singapore in 2010.

With these developments and the targeted completion of the International Cruise Terminal, Mr Lim said that 2010 was shaping up to be a banner year for Singapore's tourism, in particular for the cruise industry. They will help Singapore achieve its targets of 17 million visitor arrivals and S$30 billion in tourism receipts by the year 2015, he said.

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