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Is double stacking the short-term answer to Sydney’s berthing crisis?

While the debate about where to build another cruise terminal for ships too big to go under the Sydney Harbour Bridge continues, the Port Authority of New South Wales is working on a new booking system for double stacking.

Helen Hutcheon, Australasia correspondent

April 2, 2017

1 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

It has been reported there will be a ban on overnights in the new booking system to be unveiled on July 1. However, a spokesperson for the Authority told Seatrade Cruise News there are no plans to ban overnights and the release date for the report ‘is still being determined.’

The new stacking system involves two ships using the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Sydney Cove on the same day—one arriving in the early hours and the other arriving later in the day.

A trial was carried out on February 1 when Seabourn Encore arrived 60 minutes after Emerald Princess had left.

Facilities at the OPT have been upgraded to accommodate double stacking and the startup target is the 2019/20 wave season, although it could be introduced earlier.

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About the Author

Helen Hutcheon

Australasia correspondent

Helen Hutcheon did her cadetship on a shipping magazine and worked in P&O’s Sydney office for seven years as a public relations journalist.

For 19 years she was deputy editor of Travel Week, which was Australia’s leading trade newspaper that covered major local and international industry events.

In 2008 the late legendary Rama Rebbapragada presented her with an award from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd ‘in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the cruising industry.’

In 2010 she won the Neil Frazer Award for ‘outstanding contribution to the cruise industry,’ elevating her to CLIA Australasia’s hall of fame.

She has been the Australasia correspondent for Seatrade Cruise Review since 1997 and for Seatrade Insider (now Seatrade Cruise News) since its launch in 2000.

 

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