Taiwan International Ports Corporation, Ltd.

Taiwan International Ports Corporation held an official beam-raising ceremony for the future Port of Kaohsiung Port and Cruise Terminal at Port of Kaohsiung Wharves 19 and 20 on the morning of July 10^th, 2018. This ceremony was attended by MOTC Administrative Deputy Minister Chi Wen-jong and national Legislators as well as representatives of shipping associations, shipping companies, hotel operators, hotel associations, cruise lines, and various TIPC departments and subsidiary organizations.
 
After TIPC Chairman Hong-mo Wu gave the welcoming remarks, guests were treated to a traditional lion-dance performance that brilliantly reflected the good wishes of all for the success of the port’s beautiful and state-of-the-art new Port and Cruise Terminal complex. Administrative Deputy Minister Chi then joined Chairman Wu in leading the religious observances and ceremony that set the beam into place with blessings for work to proceed according to plan and schedule.
 
The project, budgeted at approximately NT$4.5 billion, will create an aesthetically impressive new landmark rising 15 stories above ground, with 2 underground levels. The steel-girder structure will be fronted by a curvilinear metal curtain wall that will enclose 80,774m² of new interior floor space. Chun Yuan Construction is handling the construction and Hsu Tsung Engineering is handling the terminal’s wiring, plumbing and air-conditioning facilities. Additional firms have been contracted to handle interior work and construction of the passenger bridge. When the terminal opens in December 2019, it will support the 726m of -10.5m water-depth cruise ship mooring space from Wharves 17 to 21, offering a convenient and comfortable arrival and departure area for cruise-line passengers as well as spacious accommodations for duty-free retailers, restaurants and food vendors, and administrative office space. In addition, the 5,000m² outdoor viewing deck on the 3^rd floor will give visiting passengers and city residents splendid views of the port and coastal scenery beyond.
 
MOTC Administrative Deputy Minister Chi stated that the new Port and Cruise Terminal will take its place as Kaohsiung City’s newest architectural landmark. It will, he continued, significantly enhance the quality of facilities and services available to passengers through the port at the same time that the port is successfully building its cargo-shipping side of the business, allowing the Port of Kaohsiung to take full advantage of opportunities in the expanding cruise-vacation sector. Once opened, the terminal will be accessible to the world’s largest 225,000GT Oasis-class cruise ships such as the MS Allure of the Seas and able to process passengers at a peak-time rate of 2,500 every hour. The Port of Kaohsiung welcomed 82 cruise ship arrivals in 2017, of which slightly over half (44) were homeport calls, bringing a total of 117,559 passengers to the city. Cruise ship call and passenger numbers are expected to set new, all-time records again this year. Completion next year of the Port and Cruise Terminal building will give Asia a new spotlight destination and mark a new milestone for Kaohsiung tourism.
 
TIPC Chairman Wu remarked that Kaohsiung is one of two cruise ship homeports in Taiwan, sits a short distance from Kaohsiung International Airport’s passenger and cargo facilities, and is exceptionally positioned geographically. The Port and Cruise Terminal, he continued, is on schedule to be opened in 2019. The completed complex will have two below-ground levels and 15 levels above ground. It is centrally located in Kaohsiung City near the coast and in close proximity to the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center and Maritime Cultural & Popular Music Center. With the Pier-2 Art Center and the innovative Kaohsiung Port Warehouse No. 2 just a short walk away as well, the completed terminal complex will further satisfy the public’s desire for harbor and coastal leisure / recreation. Moreover, services provided by the city’s light rail and MRT yellow lines will plug port visitors quickly and conveniently into all of Asia New Bay Area’s many attractions. The Port and Cruise Terminal represents a new and dynamic nexus of administrative, retail, and tourism activity.



Provided by：Development & Construction Dept., Port of Kaohsiung, TIPC
Contact Person：Wen-yi Lin, Supervisor
Telephone No.：07-562-2476
E-mail Address：T02126@twport.com.tw