The Wollongong suburb of Port Kembla on NSW’s South Coast is being floated as the potential site of a new passenger cruise ship terminal as Sydney Harbour reaches capacity ahead of a predicted bumper summer cruise season.
Located in the Illawarra region south of Sydney, Port Kembla has the support of cruise lines and cruise industry and government officials as a permanent cruise terminal location and a suitable alternative turnaround port.
Member for Wollongong and NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully told ABC News it “made sense” for Port Kembla to have a permanent terminal where passengers could begin and end their trips instead of just being a transit call.
Australian Cruise Association (ACA) chair Phil Holliday added that Wollongong had everything in place for a cruise terminal, including proximity to the airport, roads, rail and Sydney.
Port Kembla is operated by privately owned NSW Ports, which will make the final call.
In 2019, Wollongong was approved for a new terminal, but the plan fell through due to COVID. However, existing infrastructure was used to moor Ruby Princess during the pandemic.
Record cruise season on the horizon
More than 60 cruise ships with one million-plus passengers are expected to sail to and from Australia in the upcoming cruise season, adding around $3.3 billion to the NSW economy.
NSW also removed its final COVID-era cruise travel protocols for passengers embarking and disembarking in the state this week.
The Australian Government confirmed the withdrawal of COVID cruise requirements this week with other states and territories set to follow NSW’s lead.
Australia is estimated to receive an economic boost of $5.2 billion due to cruise tourism in 2023.
