‘It cements the city as an international cruise destination and will deliver flow on benefits to the region’s already thriving tourism industry,’ MacDonald said.
‘Additionally, it complements the increased capacity of Newcastle Airport.’
The new terminal, to be built at the Channel Berth, will enable the port to handle larger cruise ships and will position Newcastle as a home port.
‘According to the Australian Cruise Association’s estimates, cruise shipping in Newcastle currently injects around A$11m per annum to the local economy,’ Port of Newcastle ceo Geoff Crowe said.
‘Homeporting has the potential to deliver even more economic value to the region via more cruise ships and more visitors and the opportunity for local businesses to provide goods and services for the provisioning of vessels,’ Crowe said.
‘Throughout the design process, Port of Newcastle has worked with the cruise industry, tourism representatives and Australian border agencies to factor in their requirements.’
The A$12.7m Newcastle Cruise Terminal is funded by the NSW Government’s Restart NSW Hunter Infrastructure Investment Fund.
Construction will begin in early 2018 and the terminal is due for completion by the end of the year.
‘We look forward to welcoming Explorer of the Seas on her maiden visit to Newcastle in February 2019, the largest cruise ship to visit our port carrying 3,900 passengers,’ Crowe said.
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