Tag Archives: cruise terminal

Sydney in dire need for an additional cruise terminal

Posted: May 28, 2022

Australia, , , , , ,

The Australian cruise industry is in dire need to draw more passengers into Sydney Harbour, and is holding out hope the navy will vacate Garden Island so that its base can be turned into a cruise terminal.

GardenIslandNSW_aerialshot

Navy base at Garden Island

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) latest market source report was released earlier this week exceeding expectations in 2015, as Australians show their love of cruising with a growth of nearly 15 per cent in 2015 to reach a record 1,058,781 passengers, with a 42 per cent hike in domestic cruise passenger numbers.

With the increase of Mega Ships, cruise lines and governments are looking into the prospect of Garden Island hosting additional berths as their cruise shops won’t fit under the Harbour Bridge.

Ovation of the Seas

Mega Ship Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas will port out of Sydney in time for the peak summer season

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia chairman Steve Odell said there was “no question” it was needed.

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “If we’re going to grow the business further, then we need a solution east of the (Sydney Harbour) bridge,” Mr Odell said at the report’s launch.   [/pullquote]

A present Sydney harbour is home to two cruise terminals, one at White Bay in Rozelle to accommodate smaller cruise ships, as well as the chief Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay.

But it’s believed not establishing the Garden Island terminal could cost Australia’s tourism industry billions of dollars.

It is predicted that if Sydney don’t redevelop the navy base at Garden Island into a new cruise ship terminal Australia’s tourism industry will lose billions of dollars

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “We are, particularly in the summer, at saturation point,” Mr Odell said.   [/pullquote]

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “The cruise lines are not going to come. They’re going to find other alternatives if we don’t have places to go for ships.   [/pullquote]

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “If we don’t have Sydney in the itinerary, it actually begs the question if we come to Australia at all.”   [/pullquote]

The NSW government recently invested $135 million in the White Bay terminal but is looking at further ways to boost berthing capacity as cruise liners get bigger.

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “We’ll continue to work with the federal government to increase cruising capacity inside Sydney Harbour where possible, including at Garden Island,” a spokeswoman for state maritime minister Duncan Gay said.   [/pullquote]

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Monday announced a $50 million election sweetener to upgrade the wharf at the NSW south coast port of Eden and its airport to increase the town’s capacity to service the largest cruise ships.

The industry, which puts its triumph down to “high merit” for Australian cruisers, is anticipating to increase domestic cruise passengers twofold to 2 million by 2020.

Vocal community opposition to proposals to develop a terminal on Queensland’s Gold Coast is also not expected impact the industry, with Eden and Bunbury, south of Perth, embracing cruising infrastructure.

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “In these regional areas, 2500 passengers spending $250 dollars a day is a significant impact on their economies,” CLIA Australasia’s managing director Neil Linwood said.   [/pullquote]

New Cruise Terminal in Brisbane Welcomed By Carnival Australia

Posted: February 18, 2023

Australia, Press Release, , , , ,

The decision to allow further examination of a new dedicated cruise terminal for Brisbane was today welcomed by Carnival Australia.

Carnival Australia Executive Chairman Ann Sherry said Brisbane was one of Australia’s main cruise hubs.

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”Today’s announcement means we are moving one step closer to a solution that meets the long-term needs of the industry for a modern terminal that can accommodate large ships in Brisbane,” Ms Sherry said.[/pullquote]

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “Some of the world’s most prestigious ships - such as Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth which visits Brisbane later this month - currently have to berth at a grain terminal. Brisbane is a wonderful city that deserves a cruise facility that can cater for the growing number of larger vessels in the region.”   [/pullquote]

Subject to the mandatory ecological and technical investigations, Ms Sherry said Luggage Point was a suitable location for a facility.

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”Luggage Point is close to the mouth of the Brisbane River and its location means it can accommodate larger cruise ships, which currently can’t get down the river. It is also a gateway for South East Queensland and regional Queensland,” she said.[/pullquote]

Circular Quay’s Makes History as The World’s Most Luxurious Ships Berth

Posted: February 8, 2023

Australia, New Cruise Ship, Onboard Features, Press Release, , , , , , , ,

Australia’s popularity as a prominent cruise destination, will be taken to a whole new level this Saturday, when four of the World’s most luxurious ships are berthed in Sydney Harbour – comprising an record two ships at Circular Quay.

History will be made as PONANT’s 200-guest Le Soleal and the 686-guest Azamara Quest share the Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT).

Stretching just 142 metres in length, Le Soleal is one the most recent ships in the world, she will be accompanied by the 180-metre long elegant Azamara Quest.

Meanwhile over the harbour at White Bay Cruise Terminal the ultra-luxury 458-guest Seabourn Odyssey and Silversea Cruises’ intimate 382-guest Silver Whisper will both be docked

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “Between them these four beautiful ships will bring thousands of high-end visitors to our city – visitors who will be busy exploring Sydney and enjoying plenty of shopping and touring as they take in the sights, which is great news for the local economy,” Mr Jardine said.   [/pullquote]

Mr Jardine said the historic dual berthing at the Overseas Passenger Terminal followed the recent upgrade of cruise facilities at Circular Quay by the Port Authority of NSW including the refurbishment of the terminal and the installation of a new mooring dolphin at the northern end of the wharf.

Sydneysiders will be able to view Le Soleal slip in alongside Azamara Quest on Saturday morning (Feb 13), with the boutique ship scheduled to arrive into the Harbour about 9.30am, docking at the OPT by 10am.

Le Soleal’s visit comes concluding a five-day cruise from Auckland. Most of the 200 guests onboard will disembark in the morning, making way for new guests who will board during the day to sail on a nine-night sell-out cruise to Cairns from Sydney.

Meanwhile Azamara Quest will berth at the OPT at 8pm on Friday, the final night of her 13-night New Zealand cruise from Auckland. She will rest overnight at the Terminal, before departing at 5.30pm on Saturday on a 17-night East Coast Australia and Bali cruise.

Azamara Quest

Mr Jardine said more than one million Australians now take a cruise every year, making the nation the fourth largest passenger source market in the world.  In total, 38 ships from CLIA member cruise lines will sail in Australian waters this summer, the biggest summer season for the nation yet.

Government In Negotiations With Cruise Ship Administrators For New Terminal Ahead Of Queen’s Wharf Development

Posted: October 28, 2022

Australia, Press Release, , , , ,

The State Government is in negotiations with cruise administrators about developing a terminal at the mouth of the Brisbane River to manage a tourism blast started by the multi billion-dollar Queen’s Wharf precinct.

State Development Minister Anthony Lynham told a business forum yesterday new infrastructure, such as a terminal, would be needed to accommodate for an additional 1.4 million visitors to Brisbane.

Queen’s Wharf is relied upon to help the southeast Queensland economy by $3 billion every year and make 8000 jobs when operational. Be that as it may, developing concerns transport links and other foundation should be progressed.

The Port of Brisbane not long ago reserved area for a $100 million terminal at Luggage Point, which would empower extensive ships to dock.

Mr Lynham said early talks had been held with cruise administrators, for example, Carnival, about building a terminal to take care of Australia’s quickly developing cruise division.

He professed transport and other framework should have been enhanced up to the opening of Echo Entertainment’s casino, extravagant hotel and retail area in 2022.

Echo Precinct

Development of the second runway at Brisbane Airport was on track to open on time and different projects, for example, the cruise terminal, were given due consideration.

Echo Entertainment CEO Matt Bekier said Queen’s Wharf was in a “arms race” with other extravagant resorts far and wide to pull in cashed up Chinese visitors.

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“We have to improve our capacity and capability,” Mr Bekier said.[/pullquote]=

Port Of Brisbane Plans For New Luggage Point Cruise Ship Terminal

Posted: October 18, 2022

Australia, Press Release, , , , , , , , ,

The state government and the Port of Brisbane are in negotiations to build a new cruise terminal near the mouth of the Brisbane River that could accommodate the new breed of superliner.

The inability of Portside Hamilton, upstream from the Gateway Bridges, to accommodate larger vessels has seen ships, such as Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, dock at container yards at Fisherman Islands.

The $750 million Hamilton Portside cruise ship terminal opened in August 2006, but two years later the need for a larger capacity facility was already being voiced.

State Development Minister Anthony Lynham said plans were already underway at a business lunch this week.

When discussing the impact of Echo Entertainment’s Queens Wharf development on the state’s economy, Dr Lynham said transport facilities, such as Brisbane Airport’s parallel runway and a new cruise terminal, were needed to maximise Brisbane’s tourism dollar.

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”The second runway is on track and I’m in negotiations as well – initial negotiations, I will say – on a cruise ship terminal down near the mouth of the Brisbane River to take those big cruise ships,” he said.[/pullquote]

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”So for us, for tourism in Brisbane and in south-east Queensland it’s just go, go, go, all leading towards when this resort opens.”[/pullquote]

A spokeswoman for Dr Lynham later sought to downplay the significance of the comments, but confirmed “early discussions about the concept of a cruise ship terminal in Brisbane” had been held.

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”It’s all at a very preliminary stage,” she said.[/pullquote]

Dr Lynham’s office directed Fairfax Media to the Port of Brisbane for more information.

That line of inquiry did not shed any more light on the negotiations, other than to confirm they had started.

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”The Port of Brisbane is in discussions with the state government about a proposed cruise terminal,” a spokesman said.[/pullquote]

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”Due to the terms of that process, we are not in a position to make further comment at this time.”[/pullquote]

The land identified for the new cruise terminal was at Luggage Point, on the north bank of the river, downstream from the Gateway Bridges, at the entrance to Moreton Bay.

Queensland Investment Corporation chief economist Matthew Peter said it was a “potentially important development” in Brisbane.

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”The river mouth of Brisbane is ideally suited for large ships, as I understand it, so there’s potential there for growing a new industry,” he said.[/pullquote]

Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind said there was a pressing need for a large-capacity cruise ship terminal in Brisbane.

Hamilton Portside could accommodate ships up to 270 metres long, while the Queen Mary 2 was 345 metres.

The world’s longest cruise ships, Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas, were both 362 metres long.

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”(Hamilton Portside) was simply the best that could be done at the time when it was a question of lining up the money, lining up the facilities and it was a tough gig to get going,” Mr Gschwind said.[/pullquote]

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”But it will preclude us from taking full advantage of the opportunities that are coming down the path – bigger ships, more ships and the certainty of being able to berth.[/pullquote]

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”Portside is almost at capacity now and we know tourism is on the up.”[/pullquote]

Mr Gschwind said while Portside Hamilton served a purpose, it simply was not enough.

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”I don’t think it was a mistake (to build the cruise ship terminal at Hamilton) – it was what was on offer, a private investor who was willing to stump up the money,” he said.[/pullquote]

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”It’s a lovely facility that has a whole suburb developing around it, so I certainly wouldn’t say it was a mistake.[/pullquote]

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”But it won’t be sufficient to take advantage of new opportunities that are now presenting themselves.”[/pullquote]

Source: Brisbane Times