The Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, operated by Worldwide Cruise Terminals (“WCT”), successfully completed a trial berthing of charter ferry services with the ferry operator. Around 300 passengers enjoyed the spectacular night view along Hong Kong’s skyline while crossing the Victoria Harbour from a Wanchai convention center to the cruise terminal for an evening function.
WCT made use of a landing pontoon moored at the cruise terminal to successfully trial berth the large passenger ferry on the evening of 20 November. Approximately 300 delegates attending Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific departed from Wanchai to the cruise terminal along a scenic route with convenience and efficiency. The overall operation went smoothly and the journey took approximately 20 minutes.
Jeff Bent, managing director of WCT, said: «We are very pleased with the trial berthing of this large passenger ferry. WCT had earlier worked with various government departments and the ferry operator to perform technical trials. These measures ensured passenger safety and that the facilities and security of the KTCT would not be affected by the ferry operation. Once long-term operational approvals are granted by the relevant authorities, and subject to commercial agreement, this method of transportation will be available for special events held at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal in the future. Event organisers and cruise lines will be able to arrange service times and routes for charter ferry service with the ferry operator. As the pontoon will be located in the restricted area and could only be used for special charter ferry services, WCT and a ferry operator are in discussion with the government on the feasibility of a public ferry pier to be built nearby the cruise terminal in order for ferry operators to establish regular ferry routes between the cruise terminal, North Point, Kwun Tong and other points.
In the past year, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal successfully welcomed a host of cruise ships to Hong Kong from multiple lines including Royal Caribbean, Cunard, Costa Cruises, Princess Cruises, Star Cruises, Fred Olsen, Voyages of Discovery, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Celebrity Cruises. The KTCT is expected to handle more itinerary cruise passengers in 2015 than all of the Hong Kong cruise facilities together handled in 2013. The KTCT is provided with ancillary commercial areas of about 5,600 square metres. The commercial areas at both ends of the second floor have been leased and commenced operations in stages since August. Aside from ship call operations, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal plays host to product launches, family events, brand promotional activities, cocktail parties, and sporting events. Recent MICE event sponsors include Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Tesla, Hamburg-Sud, the Cruise Holiday Expo, Hennessy VSOP, the AXA Hong Kong Streetathon, Audemars Piguet, From Darkness to Sunrise City Orienteering Competition, Hong Kong Jockey Club as well as Vocational Training Council (VTC) and Construction Industry Council. The terminal has also been used for filming a number of local film and television productions.
