SYDNEY PORTS CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT 12
SYDNEY PORTS CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT 12
SYDNEY PORTS CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT 12
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CrUISE<br />
IN DECEmBER 2011, <strong>SYDNEY</strong> wAS vOTED ThE BEST INTERNATIONAl<br />
CRuISE PORT, FOR ThE SEvENTh YEAR IN A ROw, IN Cruise<br />
Passenger mAgAzINE READER’S ChOICE AwARDS. ThE mAgAzINE<br />
COmmENTED ON ThE wONDER OF SAIlINg ThROugh <strong>SYDNEY</strong> hEADS<br />
AND TOwARDS ThE hARBOuR BRIDgE AND <strong>SYDNEY</strong> OPERA hOuSE.<br />
Sydney has become the leading<br />
Australian cruise destination, with<br />
the number of ship visits growing by<br />
about 30 per cent in each of the last<br />
two years. Passenger cruise visits of<br />
199 in 2011/<strong>12</strong> compared to 153 the<br />
previous year and 119 in 2009/10.<br />
The cruise industry is now the fastest<br />
growing segment of the tourism<br />
market, with Australian passenger<br />
numbers increasing by 34 per cent<br />
in 2011.<br />
The growth in cruise visits has<br />
delivered fresh challenges to<br />
Sydney Ports in the provision of port<br />
infrastructure. This was highlighted<br />
when the Queen Mary 2, the largest<br />
liner ever to berth at the Overseas<br />
Passenger Terminal (OPT), arrived on<br />
7 March 20<strong>12</strong>. A special heavy-duty<br />
anchor was positioned in Campbell’s<br />
Cove, to ensure the 345 metre vessel<br />
was safely moored. Prior to these<br />
works the Queen Mary 2 was only<br />
able to berth at Garden Island. Being<br />
able to berth at the OPT saved the<br />
cruise line the significant cost of<br />
erecting temporary infrastructure<br />
and relocating passengers for<br />
arrivals processing.<br />
Sydney Ports is continuing to work<br />
closely with industry to provide the<br />
right infrastructure to support the<br />
growth in cruise visits. Our current<br />
infrastructure program has Sydney<br />
Ports investing significantly in cruise<br />
related improvements over the next<br />
three years. The program includes an<br />
upgrade for the OPT, designed to<br />
improve the terminal’s ability to berth<br />
larger ships and help manage the<br />
expected increase in passenger<br />
numbers. An OPT Master Plan<br />
was well underway by the end of<br />
the year, following consultation<br />
with stakeholders.<br />
A new passenger cruise terminal at<br />
White Bay will replace the temporary<br />
terminal at Barangaroo. Work began<br />
on the new terminal buildings in<br />
December 2011 and construction is<br />
due to be completed in early 2013.<br />
Sydney Ports has also appointed<br />
a Cruise Operations Manager and<br />
provides a site representative for<br />
every cruise ship visit, ensuring that<br />
operations are properly coordinated<br />
and run smoothly.<br />
A growing number of cruise vessels<br />
are unable to pass under the Sydney<br />
Harbour Bridge. Sydney Ports is<br />
continuing to lobby government for<br />
additional berth and terminal facilities<br />
east of the bridge, including Garden<br />
Island. In February 20<strong>12</strong>, the “Hawke<br />
Review” reported that cruise ships<br />
were incompatible with the Navy’s<br />
operations at Garden Island.<br />
In May 20<strong>12</strong>, the State Government<br />
announced a new pricing regime for<br />
the Sydney Ports Cruise Terminals.<br />
The fee was last increased in 1992.<br />
The new pricing regime will allow<br />
Sydney Ports to generate a return<br />
on our assets while supporting the<br />
growth in cruise shipping.<br />
Sydney PortS iS<br />
ContinUing to work<br />
CLoSeLy with indUStry<br />
to Provide the right<br />
infraStrUCtUre to<br />
SUPPort the growth<br />
in CrUiSe viSitS.<br />
Sydney PortS CorPoration annUaL rePort 2011/<strong>12</strong> 27