SPEECH BY MR LIM HNG KIANG, MINISTER FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY AT THE
INTERNATIONAL CRUISE TERMINAL GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY
ON 2 OCTOBER 2009, 4:30PM ATMARINA SOUTH PIER
Ladies and
gentlemen
Good
afternoon.
Introduction
The
construction of the International Cruise Terminal, or ICT, is a
major milestone in the development of Singapore’s cruise
industry.It gives me great pleasure to join you today in marking
this special occasion.
About 400
metres away from where we are today[1] will stand
a strategically located, world class cruise terminal which will
serve as a gateway to cruising in
Asia.
Growth
Potential of the Asian and Singapore Cruise
Industry
The outlook of
the global cruise industry is positive. It is one of the fastest
growing sectors in the world’s travel and leisure industries. Over
the last three decades, global cruise arrivals have grown twice as
fast as the world’s overall tourist arrivals[2].
The Ocean
Shipping Consultants forecast that global cruise demand for cruise
travel will reach 27 million by 2020, achieving an average annual
growth rate of about six per cent.[3]The
Asia-Pacific region constitutes about seven per cent of the world’s
cruise market today. Being a rich source of cruise passengers and
an exotic destination for avid cruise passengers from the Western
markets, this region is set to become the new cruise
playground.
Indeed, the
Asian cruise industry is at the cusp of significant growth,
presenting new opportunities for the region and Singapore. In
recent years, major cruise lines like Carnival Corporation, Royal
Caribbean Cruises and Star Cruises have increasingly deployed their
ships to this region, embracing our year-round tropical climate,
varied landscapes, warm hospitality and multi-cultural
appeal.
Since the
Singapore Cruise Centre at HarbourFront commenced operations in
1991, Singapore’s cruise passenger throughput has been rising
steadily as evidenced by the average annual growth rate of 12 per
cent in the last five years.In 2008, over 1,000 cruise ships called
at Singapore chalking up a passenger throughput of over 920,000.
In the first
half of 2009, despite the global economic downturn, we managed to
achieve a 20 per cent growth in cruise arrivals, compared with the
same period last year.STB is projecting that we will welcome our
one millionth cruise passenger by the end of the year. Singapore
has international appeal as a cruise destination, with passengers
hailing from Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and
Europe.
The economic
benefits of the cruise industry extend beyond tourist arrivals.The
cruise industry also creates business and job opportunities for
travel agents and others in the tourism industry, work for our
shipyards, as well as new business opportunities for companies
supporting the shipping industry.
The timely
construction of the ICT will position Singapore well to harness
this growth momentum.The ICT will be a strategic enabler and a key
step toward realising Singapore’s aspiration to be a cruise hub of
Asia and gateway to the region, and testifies to Singapore’s
continued commitment to the development of the cruise industry in
Asia.
Leveraging on
Opportunities and Harnessing Synergy – Developing the Asian Cruise
Industry
The nature of
cruising lends itself to close collaboration amongst regional ports
to provide cruise passengers with multi-faceted and value-for-money
experiences. As a member of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) and the current chair of the ASEAN Cruise Working
Group, Singapore is also working closely with our ASEAN partners to
create a cruise-friendly environment in the region, develop
attractive cruise itineraries and, promote ASEAN as an exciting
cruise destination.
I am heartened
to note that Singapore’s vision to grow the Asian cruise industry
is shared by major cruise lines like Costa Cruises, Royal Caribbean
Cruises, Silversea and Star Cruises.This is evident from their
forming of the Asia Cruise Association in Singapore, which
underscores their support for Singapore to be a cruise hub in the
region. I am confident that the association’s initiatives will help
to strengthen intra-regional co-operation, and establish Asia as a
key destination in the global cruise industry.
Connecting and
Showcasing Singapore to the World - The International Cruise
Terminal
Singapore’s
well-established air and sea connectivity harness the strengths of
our strategic geographical location to render us an ideal cruising
gateway to Asia. There is strong synergy in having an air hub and a
cruise hub.
To be a hub for
major international cruise liners, it is vital that we are
well-equipped and possess robust cruise infrastructure to host
these vessels so that passengers come away with a positive visitor
experience. When completed in late 2011, the ICT will double
Singapore’s total berth capacity to four berths and allow us to
welcome more liners, and more importantly, larger cruise ships, to
homeport and stop over in Singapore.
Its location,
in the Greater Marina Bay precinct, will complement the host of
leisure attractions and business facilities in the area, such as
the Singapore Flyer, the Marina Barrage, Gardens by the Bay, the
Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort, and the Singapore commercial
district. Cruise visitors will have a seamless experience being
immersed in a pulsating urban environment, complete with parks and
waterfront promenade, vibrant nightlife and entertainment, events
and celebrations, all accessible within minutes of the new cruise
terminal.
Conclusion
Today, we
symbolically break the ground as we build the foundation of this
signature facility, and the future of the Singapore cruise
industry. With its construction, Singapore takes a significant step
closer towards realising our aspiration to be the cruise hub in the
region.
Thank
you.
[1]
The ICT will be constructed on soon-to-be
reclaimed land about 400m from the Marina South Pier (the location
of the groundbreaking ceremony).
[2]Annual Average Growth
(1980 – 2008): World Cruise Arrivals 8%, World Tourist Arrivals
4%
(Source: World
Tourism Organisation and Cruise Lines International
Association)
[3]
Ocean Shipping Consultants’ publication: The
World Cruise Shipping Industry to 2020.