Kaohsiung is set to serve as the home port for five new cruises commencing in October, further underscoring the southern Taiwan facility’s rising reputation as a major regional player in the lucrative international sea travel industry.
The cruises are to depart from Kaohsiung on weeklong trips with stops at such destinations as Hong Kong, Japan and Vietnam. They will be serviced by the 115,875-ton, 1,337-cabin Sapphire Princess, which is operated by U.S.-headquartered Princess Cruises—one of the best-known names in worldwide cruising and part of Carnival Corporation & PLC.
During the Jan. 17 launch ceremony at landmark Kaohsiung City Library, an official from Taiwan International Ports Corporation Ltd., state-run operator of the country’s five major harbors, said the cruises underscore the effectiveness of efforts to promote Kaohsiung as a home port for more international cruise lines. This has been achieved through close collaboration with Kaohsiung City Government, harbor management firms and cruise companies, as well as international cruise associations, the official added.
Harbor management firms are developing marketing strategies for vacation packages aimed at encouraging tourists from India, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore to fly to Kaohsiung and take a cruise, the official said, adding that the strategy is expected to help significantly grow Taiwan’s share of the international cruise industry.
The latest TIPC statistics reveal that Kaohsiung was the home port for 24 inbound and outbound voyages in 2016, with 42,000 passengers enjoying the cruises. These numbers are forecast to hit 88 and 100,000, respectively, this year.
According to TIPC, Taiwan glitters with cruise industry potential. The country was the second largest source market in Asia by passenger volume for 2015, as confirmed by data from Cruise Lines International Association, a U.S.-based cruise industry trade organization.
As part of preparations to meet growing market demand for cruises at Kaohsiung Port, work is underway on a new international container terminal. Projected for completion in 2019, the facility will boast 19 new wharves—the largest of which can handle container ships up to 22,000 TEUs, or 20-foot equivalent units.
Kaohsiung Port is one of Taiwan’s five major ports directly overseen by TIPC under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications. The others are in Hualien County, eastern Taiwan; Keelung City, northern Taiwan; and Taichung City, central Taiwan. The facility topped Taiwan’s total volume of cargo throughput in 2015 with 46.08 percent, or 110.90 million metric tons, according to the latest TIPC statistics. (KWS-E)
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