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Source:
www.stb.gov.sg |
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Singapore To Double Number Of Cruise Berths To
Four By 2010 |
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New International Cruise Terminal to complement
Singapore Cruise Centre's capacity, able to host Genesis-class
cruise ships |
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Singapore’s international cruise
infrastructure will double in capacity by the year 2010 when the new
International Cruise Terminal at Marina South becomes operational. |
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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. |
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Mr Lim Neo Chian, Deputy Chairman and Chief
Executive of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), shared these details at
a media conference at the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention 2008 in
Miami, USA today (11 Mar 2008). |
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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. |
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Mr Lim said that 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. |
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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[1] by 2015. Last year,
Singapore Cruise Centre reported a cruise passenger throughput of
over 943,000 in 2007, an increase of more than 10 per cent over
the 857,000 passenger throughput achieved in 2006. |
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Key Features of International Cruise
Terminal |
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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 being built now. |
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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. |
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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 the
Changi International Airport which is a 20-minute drive away. |
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Singapore: Cruise Hub of Asia |
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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 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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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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Project Milestones |
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Tenders for the
terminal’s engineering as well as architectural design recently closed.
Proposals were received from
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Jurong Consultants Pte Ltd,
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Surbana Corporation Pte Ltd,
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Maunsell & Partners Pty Ltd, and
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Parsons Brinckerhoff.
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For the architectural
design tender, proposals were received from three consortia, each
comprising an internationally renowned firm with notable cruise terminal
planning experience, partnering a Singapore firm:
- BEA International and CPG Consultants
Pte Ltd
- Bermello Ajamil and RSP Architects &
Engineers (Pte) Ltd
- DMJM Design and DP Architects Pte Ltd
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The proposals for both tenders are being
evaluated and the winning parties are expected to be announced next
month. |
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STB’s technical agent for this project is
JTC Corporation, an industrial estate developer and the key
infrastructure arm of the Singapore government which has experience in
designing and building ports and berths. |
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To kickstart the project, JTC Corporation
has called a tender for the piling and construction of the berth deck,
to be awarded next month with works scheduled to commence in June. |
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Singapore will also be appointing an
operator for the terminal and calling for a tender for the construction
of the terminal building and carpark in the third quarter of this year.
Construction of the terminal is targeted to commence in the fourth
quarter of this year, with completion of the two berths and terminal
building in 2010. |
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Complementing Marina Bay’s Necklace of
Attractions |
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The International Cruise Terminal will be
easily accessible to Marina Bay, Singapore’s new Downtown and financial
services hub, and its necklace of attractions. The S$240 million (US$144
million) 165-metre (541.34 feet) tall Singapore Flyer, the world’s
largest observation wheel that opened this month, offers panaromic views
of Marina Bay and the Singapore city skyline, as well as a complete
leisure experience with its supporting retail, dining, and live
entertainment options. |
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The circuit for the inaugural 2008 FORMULA
1TM SingTel Singapore Grand Prix will be the venue for the world’s first
Formula One™ night race and Asia’s first street race on the Formula One™
calendar on 28 September 2008. |
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The S$5 billion (US$3 billion) Marina Bay
SandsTM Integrated Resort, developed by Las Vegas Sands Corporation,
will house Singapore’s first casino, extensive convention facilities,
three hotel towers, and world-class retail, dining and entertainment
when it opens in 2009. |
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Singapore’s first reservoir in the city will
offer a new recreational and lifestyle attraction when the Marina
Barrage is fully operational in 2009. The first phase of the 101-hectare
(249.6 acres) Gardens by the Bay in the heart of the city will also be
completed in 2010, and feature waterfront gardens, green sanctuaries and
scenic settings. |
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In early 2010, the Resorts World at Sentosa
Integrated Resort will open. Developed by Genting International at over
S$6 billion (US$3.6 billion), 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. |
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With these developments and the targeted
completion of the International Cruise Terminal, Mr Lim said that 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. |
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[1] Cruise passenger throughput refers to
the total number of cruise passengers passing through the terminal,
whether embarking or disembarking. |
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Source:
www.stb.gov.sg Media Release
11 Mar 2008 |
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FrontPage Edition: Fri 14 March 2008
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