PORT KEMBLA: A 'STRONG OPTION' FOR NEW CRUISE TERMINAL

One of the major topics on the agenda at the Australian Cruise Association Conference was the location for a third cruise terminal in NSW. Cruise ship industry executives and government officials are backing Port Kembla to be the site of the state's newest permanent cruise ship terminal.

NSW Port Authority CEO Philip Holliday said there was an urgent need for another terminal, with Port Kembla being a 'strong option'.

He said that the new facility would not serve as a replacement for Sydney’s two cruise terminals at Overseas Passenger Terminal and White Bay but would help grow the cruise market.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Managing Director Gavin Smith told the Australian Cruise Association Conference he also backed Wollongong as a major cruise ship port.

"Wollongong is well situated for future growth; from a tourism perspective the council has been proactive and there has been real community and business engagement previously," he said.

Australian Cruise Association (ACA) chair Phil Holliday said: "I know there's chatter about it being a 'working port' — but that's what ships need. It offers a solution and there's a real opportunity here."

* Destination NSW