Picture: stock
SOME of the country’s bigger ports are anticipating a bumper summer cruise season as the industry looks to leave the COVID-19 pandemic far behind in its wake.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Managing Director in Australasia Joel Katz says cruise tourism is “thriving” in Australia with record economic benefits.
“Cruise tourism is now worth $8.43 billion a year to the Australian economy – billions of dollars more than previous years – and it supports more than 26,000 jobs in communities around our coasts,” he says.
Australian Cruise Association (ACA) CEO Jill Abel says that “Australia recorded almost 4.3 million passenger visit days during 2023-24, an increase of 26.9% over the previous year”.
“The result is an enormous windfall for businesses like tourism operators, hotels and restaurants, retailers, transport providers and port operators,” she says.
“In addition, passengers often return to destinations they initially discovered on a cruise, which creates added benefits for communities in the longer term.”
NEW SOUTH WALES
NSW is expecting 1.2 million passengers and crew onboard 312 cruise ships to visit the state ports
Outside Sydney, the Sapphire Coast is set to attract 25 cruise ship visits with 43,000 passengers and 20,000 crew to Eden, worth a potential $12m to the local economy.
This includes the largest ship to ever visit Eden Cruise Wharf, the Royal Princess (3560 passengers), with its maiden entrance on Monday, November 11. At 330 metres long, 36 metres wide and weighing 142,000 tonnes, the Royal Princess will stop over enroute from Sydney to Port Arthur.
The wharf was upgraded to handle ships up to 370 metres long (up from 325 metres) and a 60 ship per year cap was removed with overnight stays allowed.
MP for Bega Dr Michael Holland says Eden will see bigger ships and more frequent visits thanks to the changes at the wharf.
“Every cruise season, visiting international cruise passengers can spend up to $283 a day according to CLIA, injecting millions into local economies like ours,” Dr Holland says.
Newcastle will attract 12 cruise ship visits with 12,500 passengers and 6500 crew.
The government says there was a 50% jump in jobs with the cruise industry supporting 13,714 fulltime jobs in NSW in the 2023-24 financial year.
NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen describes her state as “Australia’s capital of cruise”.
“The season ahead will see even more international cruise ships visit NSW …” she says.
“This year we will see 23 maiden cruise ship arrivals to NSW ports …. there’s been some excellent growth in this industry.”
Port Authority of NSW CEO Captain Philip Holliday says the outlook for the summer season is positive but there will be “a softening” in visits of around 5 per cent.
“However, we will harness this opportunity to plan for the 2025-26 season that already is trending upwards,” he says.
NSW is expecting 312 cruise ships to visit this season, 23 of them maiden calls. Picture: ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
TASMANIA
TasPorts’ Chief Executive Officer Anthony Donald said Tasmanian ports will host about 130 cruise ship visits during the 2024-25 season.
“Cruise vessels play an important role supporting Tasmania’s economy, particularly hospitality, tourism, transport and retail.”
Donald says Tasmania is experiencing growth in cruise tourism; a recent report puts the total economic benefit for the state from the cruise industry at $176 million with 542 jobs.
“The report also highlights that direct spending by cruise passengers was up 29.6% in 2023-24, benefitting local businesses in areas like accommodation, food & beverage, tour operations, transport, retail and entertainment,” he says.
QUEENSLAND
Brisbane’s 2024-25 cruise season is shaping to be one of its busiest, says PBPL CEO Neil Stephens.
“This season, we’re currently expecting over 150 cruise calls from 13 cruise lines …” he says.
“Over the next 12 months, we’re looking forward to welcoming nine maiden callers, many of these being ‘expedition-like’ vessels.”
PBPL owns the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal which has been upgraded during winter, he says.
“We’ve significantly expanded onsite car parking, added shading to more outdoor seating areas and increased the capacity of our taxi rank.”
- Townsville Port’s Quayside Terminal is undergoing a $5.9 million facelift to prepare for a record-breaking cruise season worth almost $10 million to the local economy.
Port CEO Ranee Crosby says the Quayside works are necessary to cater for more passenger arrivals with large cruise vessels visiting the port for the first time.
“The $251 million Channel Upgrade project, which widened the shipping channel from 90m to 180m at the inshore end is nearing completion, which will allow vessels up to 300m long to access the port instead of by-passing Townsville,” Crosby says.
“These ships can carry upwards of 3000 passengers, almost triple the number on any one ship that we’ve usually accommodated to date.
“To ensure a seamless experience from ship to shore, Quayside Terminal’s bus and taxi rank will be expanded and a dedicated kiss ‘n’ ride drop of zone will be established.”
The bus zone is being expanded to accommodate 12 coaches with a face-lift for the taxi rank and passenger drop off areas and more shade structures, seats and landscaping.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
The Northern Territory cruise sector is also experiencing unprecedented growth, the government says.
The 2023-24 season total of 131 cruise ship visits is expected to be broken with 127 cruise calls already scheduled for Darwin alone, 13 of them maiden calls.
NT Tourism and Hospitality CEO Suzana Bishop says the cruise sector “continues to be a cornerstone of the NT’s tourism economy, delivering benefits to local businesses (and job creation)”.
The Northern Territory is expecting to break last year’s record of 131 cruise ship visits.
