Singapore sets the stage to become Asia’s cruise hub 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 Genesis-class ships that are still in the pipeline. The new cruise terminal will complement the current two berths at the Singapore Cruise Centre at HarbourFront. The terminals are a 10- to 15-minute drive from each other.

The new terminal will help to increase the cruise passenger handling capacity and to meet Singapore’s target of achieving 1.6 million cruise passengers throughput by 2015.   

The Singapore Tourism Board is hoping to tap into the already buoyant UK Cruise market, which showed record growth in 2007, with 1.3 million Britons taking cruises in 2007 – an 11% increase on 2006.  This figure is expected to increase to 1.5 million passengers in 2008.  The biggest growth in 2007 was in the fly-cruise market, up by 17% from 2006 to 879,000.  The Far East and Australia showed a 51% increase.

The development will be served by a network of roads and a future link to the underground rail transport system. Cruise passengers ca look forward to easy access to other parts of Singapore, including Changi International Airport which is a 20-minute drive away.

Singapore: Cruise Hub of Asia
The enhanced cruise infrastructure will allow Singapore to capitalise on the global and Asian market growth of the cruise industry.  

Leveraging on Singapore’s strategic location between major international maritime routes, and its 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.

Marina Bay’s Attractions
The International Cruise Terminal will be easily accessible to Marina Bay, Singapore’s new downtown and financial services hub, and its many new and upcoming attractions.

The Singapore Flyer, the world’s largest observation wheel, which opened in March, offers panaromic views as well as supporting retail, dining, and live entertainment options. The circuit for the inaugural 2008 FORMULA 1TM SingTel Singapore Grand Prix will be the venue for the world’s first Formula Oneâ„¢ night race and Asia’s first street race on the Formula Oneâ„¢ calendar on September 28, 2008. The Marina Bay SandsTM Integrated Resort will house Singapore’s first casino, convention facilities, three hotel towers, and  retail, dining and entertainment when it opens in 2009. In early 2010, the Resorts World at Sentosa Integrated Resort will open. It will comprise Universal Studios Singapore®, the theme park’s only Southeast Asia facility, six themed hotels, the world’s largest marine life park, a maritime museum, convention facilities as well as various retail, dining, spa, entertainment and gaming options.

Report by Chitra Mogul

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