With the summer cruise season off and sailing, the New South Wales Government has launched a new initiative to ensure the state remains a leader in Australia’s booming cruise industry.
The newly established expert travel and tourism panel will explore potential locations for a third cruise terminal to expand capacity and support the long-term growth of cruise tourism in NSW.
Transport Minister Jo Haylen has convened the Cruising Industry Advisory Panel to guide the planning of the new terminal. The panel aims to position NSW to capture a larger share of Australia’s multi-billion-dollar cruise market.
The cruise industry contributed a substantial $4.4 billion to the NSW economy in 2023-24, up 60.4% from the previous financial year*. It also created more than 13,700 jobs, making it a key sector for growth.
This growth is expected to continue over the coming summer, with 1.2 million passengers and crew from 312 cruise ship visits set to sail into NSW ports.
“The cruise industry in NSW is making a massive contribution to our economy, but it needs certainty so we can all get the benefits from its long-term growth,” Haylen said.
“NSW’s next permanent cruise terminal will be a massive new piece of infrastructure, and we have to get it right. That’s why we’ve assembled the best people to find the best location, so we can grow our cruise industry long into the future.”
Meet the new Cruise Industry Expert Panel
The panel, chaired by Port Authority CEO Captain Philip Holliday, includes key figures from the cruise and tourism sectors. These experts will assess potential terminal locations and provide recommendations to maximise capacity for the growing cruise market in NSW.
The panel members include:
- John McKenna, Port Authority Chief Customer and Commercial Officer
- Margy Osmond, CEO of Tourism and Transport Forum
- Marika Calfas, NSW Ports
- Gavin Smith, Vice President and Managing Director, Australia & New Zealand, Royal Caribbean International
- Peter Little, Interim Leader, P&O Cruises Australia and Carnival Australia
- Jill Abel, CEO, Australian Cruise Association
- Sarina Bratton, Ponant
- Joel Katz, Managing Director, Cruise Lines International Association Australasia
- Antony Ritch, CEO, TFE Hotels
- Ben Angell, Vice President and Managing Director, Norwegian Cruise Lines
This heavyweight group will collaborate to identify solutions for future cruise terminal infrastructure needs and examine ways to boost capacity at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney.
Future-Proofing Cruise Tourism in NSW
While Sydney’s existing cruise terminals are not yet at full capacity, the panel’s goal is to ensure the state is prepared for future growth. The investigation into a third cruise terminal is a critical part of the NSW Government’s cruise strategy, aiming to keep NSW as Australia’s leading cruise destination.
“Port Authority is delighted to be leading this cross-industry panel as the next step in determining the right location for a new, state-of-the-art third cruise terminal in NSW,” said Captain Philip Holliday.
“Planning for a third terminal is about keeping NSW in pole position as the capital of cruise travel and ensuring we retain the lion’s share of economic benefits from cruise tourism right here in NSW to support local businesses, hospitality, tourism, and suppliers.”
The panel will also explore opportunities to increase capacity at Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal, ensuring that the NSW cruise industry can continue to thrive in the coming years.
Margy Osmond, CEO of Tourism and Transport Forum, highlighted the importance of collaboration: “It’s fantastic to see the State Government and industry coming together to identify a third cruise terminal, to attract more visitors and boost tourism across NSW. We look forward to working with the Port Authority to deliver a more certain future for the cruise industry and all Australians who love to cruise.”
Osmond also emphasised that increasing capacity is crucial to supporting the range of jobs linked to cruise tourism, including those in restaurants, hotels, retailers, and travel agents.
As part of its long-term vision, the Minns Government also recently announced the implementation of Shore Power at the White Bay Cruise Terminal, scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. NSW Government says this green initiative will allow cruise ships to plug into the local power grid while docked, reducing emissions and improving air quality.
*Figures according to new data released by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the Australian Cruise Association (ACA).
