Cruise trade on a wave as passengers stop over in city Our ship comes in
MORE than 7000 passengers in eight cruise ships have enjoyed a stopover in Townsville so far this year as a committee responding to the trade believes substantial headway is being made.
The White and Grey Ship Attraction Committee, formed about 18 months ago, is headed by the Port of Townsville corporate affairs manager Sharon Hoops.
The city scored a huge coup last month with P& O Cruises Australia confirming it would begin using Townsville as a home port.
Ms Hoops said the use of the port by grey ships was also growing with five defence vessels having moored in the city this year.
She said the potential of the trade was highlighted earlier this year when cruise ship Seabourn Encore used the port for fuel provision.
It was the first time the port’s upgraded Berth 10 was used for refuelling.
“The ship took on approximately 160 tonnes of fuel oil which was facilitated by Inchcape Shipping Services and International Bunkering Services Australia,” she said.
“It was a big operation and when we begin to see cruise ships departing from Townsville it will require port side baggage and check- in posts and the ships will need supplies.”
She said P& O Cruises Australia would trial a partial ship turnaround next year where passengers would be able to embark on a cruise from Townsville.
“It will be a big thing for Townsville and we expect more local companies will benefit,” she said.
Ms Hoops said visits by several military vessels were expected over the next few months when defence exercise Talisman Sabre was under way.
She said the White and Grey Ship Attraction Committee was seeing a turnaround in the trade.
“Cruise numbers were declining and we had to find out what we could do to turn that around,” she said.
“We needed to have a cohesive effort to promote ourselves directly with the cruise liners and we had to be more proactive on the ground when they arrived.
“We also needed to make the community and businesses aware when ships were coming in.”
She said new signage had been installed at the port’s Quayside Terminal, a Wi- Fi lounge was provided and a Kids Corner created to accommodate cruise arrivals with a younger demographic.
Also, Townsville Taxis had established an information desk at the terminal on cruise ship days to help passengers with bookings.