2. Speeches
Mr Lim Hng Kiang at the International Cruise Terminal Groundbreaking Ceremony, 2 Oct 09
2 October 2009
This article has been migrated from an earlier version of the site and may display formatting inconsistencies.
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
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
. 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.
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.