Gulf cruise sector to double by 2010

International cruise operators to dock in the Gulf, keen to capitalize on new cruise destinations-region expected to handle 400,000 passengers by 2010.

A top-flight delegation of international, regional and local cruise executives is due in Dubai next month to take part in the sixth Seatrade Middle East Cruise Conference – the region’s premier maritime forum which takes place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre on 14-16 December. Senior management from AIDA, Carnival, Costa, Holland America, Louis, MSC Cruises, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Saga, Seabourn and Silversea and are among the participants, an international who’s who in the cruise sector, underscoring the high level of interest shown in the Gulf as a cruise hub. On the agenda are topics ranging from sourcing passengers from the region, what cruise lines are looking for in shore excursions, port and terminal development, the role of cruise tourism in broadening the region’s inbound tourism mix, and the growth of the Gulf as a major destination for winter cruising. The latter was boosted recently with the announcement by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines that it will base the 1050-cabin ‘Brilliance of the Seas’ in Dubai in winter 2010, operating a series of week-long cruises between January and April that will enhance the Gulf’s visibility as a hub.

Read More

Cruise liners to set sail from Kochi

Kochi Port has made its first major breakthrough in its ambitions to emerge as India’s foremost cruise destination with AIDA Cruises of Germany.

It has expressed its satisfaction over the facilities at Kochi for adopting it as a home port for the operation of its prestigious liner AIDA Cara. AIDA Cruises is expected to begin its operations out of Kochi from next October with a first sail to Phuket in Thailand. AIDA Cara is a liner that has regularly called at Kochi, Port Trust sources said. Several other cruise companies are also in talks with Kochi Port for making it the turnaround port for some of their liners. Cochin Port Trust Chairman N. Ramachandran told media persons on Wednesday that negotiations on having major cruise operators working out of Kochi had progressed smoothly. He said that having home port status would give a quantum boost to the tourism industry in the State. Kochi becoming a home port means there will be tourists coming in chartered flights to join a cruise trip or even a significant number of tourists ending their cruises here in Kochi.

Read More

Crisis will not hit LNG projects says Woodside

Despite the financial crisis liquefied natural gas demand is still expanding and the market for the super cooled gas will not impede Woodside’s projects, the Australian giant’s marketing president said.

Speaking at Woodside’s investor briefing, Reinhardt Matisons, cited an independent forecast from energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie, saying that LNG demand is forecast to expand by 7% per year to 2020, edging down slightly from last year. “That means the current market of 180 million tonnes per annum would grow to about 400 million tonnes per annum by 2020,” he said. Matisons explained that while traditional LNG importers such as Japan, Korea and Taiwan would underpin Woodside’s new projects such as Pluto and Sunrise, demand from China and India was also strong. “These markets can absorb any surplus LNG that comes into the market and thus keep the market really tight for the foreseeable future,” said Matisons. “Notwithstanding the financial crisis, we still see a good strong, long-term market for our LNG. Put that another way – the market won’t hold up our projects,” he added.

Read More