Port is now ship-shape
The Port of Cairns is gearing up for a whirlwind month of arrivals to kick off the cruise sector’s biggest year in the Far North. Nine cruise ships and three project cargo vessels are scheduled to dock this month, starting witht the popular Pacific Aria, which will arrive at the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal at 9.30am today, carrying about 2000 passengers and crew. Another instalment for the Mount Emerald Wind Farm will arrive tomorrow.
THE Port of Cairns is gearing up for a whirlwind month of arrivals to kick off the cruise sector’s biggest year in the Far North.
Nine cruise ships and three project cargo vessels are scheduled to dock this month, starting with the popular Pacific Aria, which will arrive at the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal at 9.30am today, carrying about 2000 passengers and crew.
Another instalment for the Mount Emerald Wind Farm will arrive tomorrow, with the cargo including 48 giant tower sections.
On Wednesday the Sea Princess will arrive at the CCLT carrying up to 2900 passengers and crew, and on Thursday the final shipment for the wind farm will be discharged.
Ports North Chairman Russell Beer said the port was working at a great capacity in the tourism and industrial sectors.
“This month is the precursor for a strong year for the Port of Cairns, with some 56 cruise ship visits during 2018, many of them overnight, and seven with Pacific Eden, who will be home-porting once again in Cairns,” he said.
“These last two wind farm unloads conclude what has been a very successful project cargo contract for Ports North.”
Another project cargo shipment is expected on February 19, unloading 63 Break Bulk Packages for transportation to MSF Sugar’’ cogeneration power plant being built at their Tablelands Mill.
“Three project cargo deliveries in one month is quite significant and the fact that it all runs seamlessly while cruise ship visitation is at a high, underlines our multipurpose strengths,” Mr Beer said.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Pip Close said the cruise sector was worth $153 million to the Cairns regional economy.
“In 2016-17, Cairns welcomed 100 cruise visit days, with nearly 154,000 passengers and a little over 24,000 crew arriving into the destination,” she said.
“Homeporting is especially valuable for our destination with passengers flying in and out to meet the cruise and we are delighted that P&O has confirmed a fourth homeporting season for Cairns in September 2019.
“There will once again be north and southbound itineraries on offer departing from Trinity Wharf.”
Ms Close said a review of the port guides given to passengers would ensure the best of Cairns was showcased.
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