TIPC Plans to Set up Taiwan's First Cruise-Ship Economic Zone in Kaohsiung Harbor

The Taiwan International Ports Corp.(TIPC)plans to set up Taiwan's first cruise-ship economic zone in Kaohsiung Harbor and is talking with foreign financial groups,such as MGM,Paramount,and Royal Caribbean International,for cooperation in developing the project,which will occupies 36 hectares in space and involves investment of NT$30 billion,reported Hsiao Ting-hsun,chairman of TIPC yesterday(Sept.13).

Hsiao pointed out that the international cruise-ship traveling market is moving towards Asia.Market research bodies estimated that share of Asian cruise-ship traveling population in the global market will increase from existing 7%to 10%by 2015,with the number of passenger/trips jumping to 2.4 million,up 60%from this year's 1.34 million.

In terms of the deployment of shipping routes,two cruise-ship circles have been formed:one is the Northeastern Asian circle,which covers central China,northern China,Japan,and Korea;the other is Southeastern Asian circle,which covers Hong Kong and Singapore.TIPC sets its sight on the regional market between the two circles,aiming to develop Kaohsiung Harbor into a cruise-ship economic zone and integrate the resources of Keelung,Penghu,and Xiamen,thereby forming a cross-Taiwan Strait cruise-ship circle.

With Kaohsiung as the starting point, ships can travel southward to Hong Kong, northward to Shanghai, and westward to Xiamen. The further opening up of the cross-Strait traveling market, such as the expansion of the scale of free independent travel, will facilitate the development of the market.

Hsiao reported that Xiamen Port Holding Group is developing a cruise-ship harbor project and is soliciting investments by MGM, Paramount, and Royal Caribbean International. TIPC has signed a letter of intent for cooperation with Xiamen Port Holding and via the latter’s intermediation, is talking with those foreign financial groups for simultaneous investments in Kaohsiung.

The projected Kaohsiung cruise-ship economic zone will be situated on the plot of land, spanning 36 hectares in space, of Kaohsiung harbor’s docks No. 1 to No. 22. In addition to the NT$2.85 billion passenger terminal, scheduled for inauguration in 2015, TIPC plans to build a seven-star hotel, common hotels, international business center, oceanic theme park, yacht club, duty-free shopping center, and restaurants.

Hsiao noted that cruise-ship economic zone will entail at least NT$30 billion of investment and TIPC plans to select one to two financial groups for joint development, in the hope of completing the project in six years. TIPC also plans to join hands with Xiamen Port Holding in setting up a joint-venture cruise-ship firm to engage in cross-Strait cruise-ship business, according to Hsiao.