Genting seals Indonesia deal

CRUISE tourism in Indonesia is set for significant growth under a new agreement signed by Genting Cruise Lines with stateowned Indonesian port operator PT Pelabuhan Indonesia III, also known as Persero and Pelindo III.

The Memorandum of Understanding, signed at a ceremony in Bintan Island

( pictured), will continue cooperation on the joint development of the Celukan Bawang facilities in North Bali, which will allow the berthing of bigger ships up to 342m long.

The renewed pact follows a previous agreement sealed last year which resulted in the North Bali deployment of Dream Cruises’ Genting Dream in Dec.

Under the MoU both parties will also explore possible joint developments of additional cruise ports operated by Persero in other Indonesian destinations.

“At Genting Cruise Lines we remain highly committed to the development of Indonesia as a key cruise hub for the region,” said Genting Cruise Lines President Kent Zhu.

“We recognise the need for updated cruise infrastructure in the area and have actively taken the lead in pioneering improvements to port facilities in order to ensure the future growth of the cruise business,” he said.

Zhu noted recent successful deployments of Genting vessels in Jakarta, Medan, North Bali and Bintan Island, and the large Indonesian source market.

“Through these on-going initiatives our goal is to support local ports in Indonesia to enable them to progress and move up the value chain, which, in turn, will further boost the cruise industry not only in Indonesia but across Asia,” he added.