Friday, June 23, 2006
Site for 2nd cruise centre?
STB studying Marina South location
Friday • June 23, 2006
Jasmine Yin
jasmine.yin@newstoday.com.sg
Plans to develop a second cruise terminal in Singapore seem to be inching closer to reality, as the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) embarks on a preliminary study at a Marina South site near the upcoming integrated resort.
The study, which will span about three months, will examine environmental and technical aspects, such as tidal movement and how passing vessels can affect cruise vessels docked at the site, according to a report by Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao yesterday. It is believed to be the first such study STB has carried out in the area.
Even though the Government had earmarked the site more than five years ago, little has been said about the cruise terminal until recently.
The proposed terminal is also close to landmarks such as the Singapore Flyer, the upcoming double-helix bridge and the Gardens by the Bay.
An STB spokesperson told Zaobao that Singapore needs to develop a new cruise terminal to cater to the new generation of cruise vessels, which are getting increasingly bigger and wider. Carrying out such a study enables the tourism authority to better understand the implications of developing a new cruise terminal at Marina South, he said.
Just last month, the Government unveiled a $10-million fund to woo cruise line operators to Singapore, to capitalise on an expected boom in the cruise business in the region in the coming years.
The STB has also said it wants to get 10 ships to home port in Singapore by 2015.
It also dismissed talk that the new cruise centre will replace the HarbourFront cruise terminal, citing that the preliminary study has to be completed before any decision is to be made.
The 15-year-old HarbourFront terminal underwent a $5-million revamp in recent years.
Mr Cheong Teow Cheng, who is president of the Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC) — operator of the HarbourFront terminal and the sole cruise and ferry port operator here — told Today the SCC is keen to operate the new terminal if it gets the go-ahead.
"We are in the business of terminal operations and this is definitely an extension of our business. So, whatever is available, we will be keen."
He thinks Asia is "the next cruise playground", but said the SCC's current facilities are unable to accommodate such growth.
"We will definitely be interested in operating at Marina South to meet the demand."
Some observers have floated the possibility of the SCC leaving HarbourFront for Marina South, while the Genting International-Star Cruises consortium, which is vying for the Sentosa casino resort nearby, can readily move in to fill the gap if they win the bid.
To this, Mr Cheong simply said: "The current facility at HarbourFront belongs to us and will only be available to others if we decide to give it up."
Friday • June 23, 2006
Jasmine Yin
jasmine.yin@newstoday.com.sg
Plans to develop a second cruise terminal in Singapore seem to be inching closer to reality, as the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) embarks on a preliminary study at a Marina South site near the upcoming integrated resort.
The study, which will span about three months, will examine environmental and technical aspects, such as tidal movement and how passing vessels can affect cruise vessels docked at the site, according to a report by Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao yesterday. It is believed to be the first such study STB has carried out in the area.
Even though the Government had earmarked the site more than five years ago, little has been said about the cruise terminal until recently.
The proposed terminal is also close to landmarks such as the Singapore Flyer, the upcoming double-helix bridge and the Gardens by the Bay.
An STB spokesperson told Zaobao that Singapore needs to develop a new cruise terminal to cater to the new generation of cruise vessels, which are getting increasingly bigger and wider. Carrying out such a study enables the tourism authority to better understand the implications of developing a new cruise terminal at Marina South, he said.
Just last month, the Government unveiled a $10-million fund to woo cruise line operators to Singapore, to capitalise on an expected boom in the cruise business in the region in the coming years.
The STB has also said it wants to get 10 ships to home port in Singapore by 2015.
It also dismissed talk that the new cruise centre will replace the HarbourFront cruise terminal, citing that the preliminary study has to be completed before any decision is to be made.
The 15-year-old HarbourFront terminal underwent a $5-million revamp in recent years.
Mr Cheong Teow Cheng, who is president of the Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC) — operator of the HarbourFront terminal and the sole cruise and ferry port operator here — told Today the SCC is keen to operate the new terminal if it gets the go-ahead.
"We are in the business of terminal operations and this is definitely an extension of our business. So, whatever is available, we will be keen."
He thinks Asia is "the next cruise playground", but said the SCC's current facilities are unable to accommodate such growth.
"We will definitely be interested in operating at Marina South to meet the demand."
Some observers have floated the possibility of the SCC leaving HarbourFront for Marina South, while the Genting International-Star Cruises consortium, which is vying for the Sentosa casino resort nearby, can readily move in to fill the gap if they win the bid.
To this, Mr Cheong simply said: "The current facility at HarbourFront belongs to us and will only be available to others if we decide to give it up."
// posted by Shajahan @ 12:14 PM 