Singapore’s International Cruise Infrastructure to Double in Capacity by 2010

Singapore’s international cruise infrastructure will double in capacity by the year 2010 when the new International Cruise Terminal at Marina South becomes operational. The two berths at the new facility 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), complementing the current two berths at the Singapore Cruise Centre at HarbourFront. Both terminals are only a 10 to 15-minute drive from each other.

The Singapore government first announced the decision to proceed with building the new terminal on 31 January 2008, to boost the city-state’s cruise facilities and infrastructure to accommodate the new generation of larger cruise ships.

The new terminal will 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 throughput1 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 the 857,000 passenger throughput achieved in 2006.

The planned International Cruise Terminal will be located at Marina South, which has deep waters, a large turning basin and no height restrictions, enabling it to accommodate the largest cruise ships now being built. The facility will be able to berth ships of up to 220,000 GRT and measuring up to 360m (1,181 feet) in length with a draft of up to 11.5m (37.73 feet). They will be served by a terminal building designed to ensure efficient operations and a seamless visitor experience. Ancillary commercial services are envisaged to also be provided within the terminal building. The development will be served by a network of roads and a future link to the underground rail transport system. Cruise passengers can look forward to easy access and seamless connection to other parts of Singapore, including Changi International Airport which is just a 20-minute drive away.

The enhanced cruise infrastructure will allow Singapore to capitalise on the global and Asian market growth of the cruise industry. The Ocean Shipping Consultants has projected that Asia (Greater China, South Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia) can expect a 44% 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% growth over 2005.

Recognising this growth potential, cruise operators are offering a wide range of itineraries within Asia. Leveraging on Singapore’s strategic location between major international maritime routes, and its excellent air connectivity to more than 190 destinations in 60 countries worldwide, a number of cruise companies have chosen to base themselves in Singapore to strengthen their Asian presence. Several of the world’s top cruise lines, such as Star Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Costa Cruises, P&O Princess and Silversea Cruises have made Singapore the homeport or marquee port for their Asian ship deployments. RCI and Silversea Cruises also opened offices in Singapore last year to play a more significant role in Asia.

In addition, Singapore will be port-of-call for a host of ships in 2008, including Cunard’s Queen Victoria on her maiden world cruise, and ships from Princess Cruises, P&O, Oceania Cruises, Holland America Line and Crystal Cruises.

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