Anchors aweigh for popular cruise ships at Baoshan port
By Fei Lai |
June 30, 2012, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
BAOSHAN District is becoming a major port of call and home port for international cruise liners. This year 62 cruises will dock at the modern Wusongkou terminal, bringing 250,000 tourists to China. Fei Lai reports.
While the Shanghai municipal government is building the city into an international shipping center, the Baoshan officials are developing the district into a major home port and port of call for the international cruise industry.
With its steady economic growth, infrastructure, cruise marketing and attractive environment, Baoshan has all the elements to make it big in the cruise industry.
The district just held the 2012 Wusong Estuary Cruise Carnival, titled "Dreams Set Sail."
The Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal hosted what it called Asia's first fashion cruise, then the Costa Cruise's Costa Victoria, followed by Asia's largest luxury cruise ship, the Royal Caribbean International's Voyager of the Seas.
The Costa Victoria and Voyager of the Seas made their maiden voyages to Shanghai and chose Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal as their home port.
The 75,200-ton Costa Victoria (capacity 2,394 guests) will operate 33 cruises a year from Baoshan, making Costa the biggest international operator at the terminal.
Fashion designer Mary Ma, China's first international super model, served as the cruise liner's "godmother."
The first voyage of the Costa from the Wusongkou terminal was a five-night itinerary, departing Shanghai for Jeju island, South Korea, then calling at Fukuoka, Japan and Hososhima/Miyazaki before returning to Shanghai.
The carnival also included forums on the cruise economy and marking, as well as city development.
This year, 62 international cruises will dock at Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, bringing more than 250,000 tourists from China and overseas, Wang Hong, director of Baoshan District, said.
Next year, more than 150 international cruises will dock, "contributing to Shanghai's reputation as a world-renowned destination," he said.
The Wusongkou terminal began operations last October. In its first phase, it can accommodate two international cruise liners with a load capacity of 100,000 tons each.
It features four sections: pier, floating platform, passenger terminal building and bridge approach. The site is shaped like a giant silver shell, giving rise to its name "Oriental Eyes."
According to Wang, Baoshan has the unparalleled advantages in the development of the cruise industry, such as a deep-water port and unspoiled natural environment.
By 2015, Baoshan International Cruise Home Port will be completed, and more than 200 cruises are expected to dock annually. It will receive more than 560,000 tourists a year.
By 2020, the Wusongkou terminal is expected to become the home port of 10 cruises.
Meanwhile, Baoshan District plans to attract a range of cruise industry professionals, introduce high-end cruise company managers and create a sound development environment for them.
Preferential policies on housing subsidies, business opportunities and convenient living arrangements are being studied.
To cultivate more local professionals and staff, cruise training courses will be offered at local universities, backed by the local government and international cruise companies.
The district is improving its cruise maintenance services and developing nearby scenic spots and festivals to improve the industry environment. Baoshan festivals include the Cherry Blossom Festival, Luodian Dragon Boat Festival and Meilan Lake Music Festival.
The district will expand its trade, business, cultural exposition and leisure tourism functions.
The public will be able to register and board cruise ships during the carnival in the future.
"The carnival offers a golden chance for the public to get a better understanding and experience cruise travel.
It also helps expand the local tourism market and the city's cruise economy," Wang Younong, director of Baoshan District Riverside Commission, said.
While the Shanghai municipal government is building the city into an international shipping center, the Baoshan officials are developing the district into a major home port and port of call for the international cruise industry.
With its steady economic growth, infrastructure, cruise marketing and attractive environment, Baoshan has all the elements to make it big in the cruise industry.
The district just held the 2012 Wusong Estuary Cruise Carnival, titled "Dreams Set Sail."
The Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal hosted what it called Asia's first fashion cruise, then the Costa Cruise's Costa Victoria, followed by Asia's largest luxury cruise ship, the Royal Caribbean International's Voyager of the Seas.
The Costa Victoria and Voyager of the Seas made their maiden voyages to Shanghai and chose Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal as their home port.
The 75,200-ton Costa Victoria (capacity 2,394 guests) will operate 33 cruises a year from Baoshan, making Costa the biggest international operator at the terminal.
Fashion designer Mary Ma, China's first international super model, served as the cruise liner's "godmother."
The first voyage of the Costa from the Wusongkou terminal was a five-night itinerary, departing Shanghai for Jeju island, South Korea, then calling at Fukuoka, Japan and Hososhima/Miyazaki before returning to Shanghai.
The carnival also included forums on the cruise economy and marking, as well as city development.
This year, 62 international cruises will dock at Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, bringing more than 250,000 tourists from China and overseas, Wang Hong, director of Baoshan District, said.
Next year, more than 150 international cruises will dock, "contributing to Shanghai's reputation as a world-renowned destination," he said.
The Wusongkou terminal began operations last October. In its first phase, it can accommodate two international cruise liners with a load capacity of 100,000 tons each.
It features four sections: pier, floating platform, passenger terminal building and bridge approach. The site is shaped like a giant silver shell, giving rise to its name "Oriental Eyes."
According to Wang, Baoshan has the unparalleled advantages in the development of the cruise industry, such as a deep-water port and unspoiled natural environment.
By 2015, Baoshan International Cruise Home Port will be completed, and more than 200 cruises are expected to dock annually. It will receive more than 560,000 tourists a year.
By 2020, the Wusongkou terminal is expected to become the home port of 10 cruises.
Meanwhile, Baoshan District plans to attract a range of cruise industry professionals, introduce high-end cruise company managers and create a sound development environment for them.
Preferential policies on housing subsidies, business opportunities and convenient living arrangements are being studied.
To cultivate more local professionals and staff, cruise training courses will be offered at local universities, backed by the local government and international cruise companies.
The district is improving its cruise maintenance services and developing nearby scenic spots and festivals to improve the industry environment. Baoshan festivals include the Cherry Blossom Festival, Luodian Dragon Boat Festival and Meilan Lake Music Festival.
The district will expand its trade, business, cultural exposition and leisure tourism functions.
The public will be able to register and board cruise ships during the carnival in the future.
"The carnival offers a golden chance for the public to get a better understanding and experience cruise travel.
It also helps expand the local tourism market and the city's cruise economy," Wang Younong, director of Baoshan District Riverside Commission, said.
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