Carnival chief Ann Sherry has
called for action on the
“significant challenges” facing
ports in Brisbane and Cairns.
THE full potential of Australia’s cruise
industry will not be realised until problems at
Queensland’s two main cruise ports are
addressed, according to Ann Sherry, CEO,
Carnival Australia.
“Infrastructure gaps at Brisbane and Cairns
have become more obvious as a result of
cruise industry growth, combined with the
trend to larger cruise ships,” Sherry told
Cruise Weekly.
“If unaddressed, these gaps will constrain
further growth and limit cruising’s economic
contribution.”
The Brisbane facility is “too far up the river”,
thus limiting access by superliners, she said.
“Brisbane needs a dedicated deepwater
cruise terminal to accommodate an increasing
number of larger ships.
“The cruise port is also the most expensive
in Australia, despite its size restrictions.”
Cairns, on the other hand, “works
effectively, unlike many ports in Australia”,
Sherry said.
“Unfortunately, most ships can’t get into the
port until it is dredged.”
Carnival Australia supports current plans to
dredge Trinity Inlet to enable larger cruise
ships to dock in the heart of Cairns.
“Current arrangements at the Yorkey’s Knob
anchorage are suboptimal to Cairns realising
its full potential as a cruise destination and for
the real value of cruising to be captured,”
Sherry said.
“Cairns has great potential as a key
destination in northern Australia linking
through to destinations to our north,
including Papua New Guinea.”
Sherry acknowledged that some progress
had been made by state and local government
authorities, which “recognise and value
cruising’s contribution to the economy, jobs
and to businesses through the ‘multiplier
effect’ of cruising.”
Sherry also emphasised that improving
facilities in Queensland was important from a
national perspective because the state was
“part of an itinerary package” for visiting
international ships.
“Australia’s cruise destinations depend on
each other to get it right on infrastructure,”
she said.
“Upgrading port facilities would help ensure
Australia remains attractive and competitive
as a cruise destination.
“This is increasingly important as we see
cities in Asia, such as Shanghai, Hong Kong
and Singapore, investing strongly in cruise
infrastructure,” she added.
