Thursday, March 19, 2009

New cruise terminal to be ready by end-2011


Source : Straits Times - 19 Mar 2009

IN A nod to the Republic’s ambition to become an international cruise centre, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) gave a glimpse of its new cruise terminal at a shipping event in Miami, Florida, on Tuesday which attracted industry bigwigs.

The new terminal will boast berths that can accommodate the world’s largest ships.

It will help Singapore achieve its ambition of becoming a cruise hub for the region by doubling the handling capacity of the current HarbourFront terminal, which is already struggling to cope with the growing number of ships and people arriving there.

Worse, the existing terminal at HarbourFront has a height restriction of 52m, making it impossible for many bigger ships to dock there.

The new terminal at Marina South will not have any size or height restrictions.

However, it will be ready only by 2011, a year later than originally planned. No reason for the delay was given in STB’s press statement.

Miami’s Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention is an important annual event at which shipping industry movers and shakers meet to discuss the latest developments.

At the event, STB’s director for destination marketing and cruises, Mr Chew Tiong Heng, said: ‘Even amid the current economic climate, the STB is committed to delivering this key infrastructure by the end of 2011 to help position Singapore as a regional cruise hub.

‘We believe the terminal’s rooftop, depicting a modern interpretation of low rolling waves will be a very welcoming sight to passengers as their cruise ships sail into Singapore.’

The new cruise terminal was designed by a collaboration between United States-based Ajamil and Partners and local firm RSP Architects Planners and Engineers.

The ground-breaking for the project is expected to begin in the next quarter.


1 comment:

URGENT LOAN OFFER WHATSAPP +918929509036 said...

Are you in need of a loan? Do you want to pay off your bills? Do you want to be financially stable? All you have to do is to contact us for more information on how to get started and get the loan you desire. This offer is open to all that will be able to repay back in due time. Note-that repayment time frame is negotiable and at interest rate of 3% just email us (creditloan11@gmail.com)