| 2010/11 Sydney port report

SYDNEY remains Australia’s passenger cruise
capital, with remarkable growth in the
number of Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT)
and Barangaroo visits to 153 in 2010/11
compared to 119 the previous year, according
to Sydney Ports 2010/11 Annual Report.
This figure represents a 29% year-on-year
increase, whilst a further increase to 213 visits
is expected for the 2011/12 financial year.
The report also highlighted the result of the
Cruise Passenger Terminal Steering
Committee’s investigation into the site of a
new additional cruise terminal east of
the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which Sydney
Ports said would be required in the next
decade to cater to the growing number of
ships choosing to call in Sydney.
According to the Port, the Steering
Committee found no suitable alternative
cruise ship terminal locations east of the
Bridge and instead recommended alterations
to the existing OPT and the installation of
a mooring dolphin to allow the OPT to take
larger ships.
Meanwhile the Port Authority also
announced that the Federal Minister for
Defence, Stephen Smith, will launch an
independent review into whether there is
scope to further increase cruise ship
access to the Royal Australian Navy’s
Garden Island facility without affecting
naval operations.
“Notwithstanding the other initiatives
for cruise ships, Sydney Harbour remains
Australia’s busiest cruise destination and home
port,” the report said.