[SINGAPORE] Sats announced on Friday (Apr 11) that terminal operator Sats-Creuers Cruise Services (SCCS) will lead refurbishment works for Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore (MBCCS).
The S$40 million upgrading works began in the first quarter of the year and will be carried out over nine months.
SCCS is a 60:40 joint venture between the ground handler and European cruise operator Creuers del Port de Barcelona. It is the current terminal operator of MBCCS. Creuers is a unit of the world’s largest cruise-port operator, Global Ports Holding.
Sats said the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) also extended SCCS’ operator agreement for the cruise centre by eight years, with the option to extend it for another two. The extension was formalised last December, when both parties inked a revised management and operator agreement, which could run from May 2027 to March 2037.
Bob Chi, chairman of SCCS, said: “The upgrade is timely as the facility gears up for more intensive operations in the future, including welcoming two mega cruise ships on dual operation.”
Ong Huey Hong, assistant chief executive for the industry development group at STB, said the improvements come amid the cruise industry’s expansion and the global trend towards larger ships.
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“Singapore’s cruise industry is projected to grow steadily with year-round sailings, seasonal home porting, and a robust calendar of transit calls from a diverse range of international cruise lines,” she added.
MBCCS will be able to handle higher passenger volumes, with capacity expected to grow from 6,800 to 11,700 passengers.
The refurbished cruise centre will have updated amenities and new facilities, including a check-in area for passengers. The vacant plot of land in front of the centre will be converted into an additional ground transport area, creating more bus parking bays and ride-hailing lots.
The centre will also have more lounge facilities, larger seating areas for embarkation and disembarkation, as well as check-in stations that can handle the passengers from two larger cruise ships.
Part of the current ground transport area will be transformed into a new check-in area to give cruise ships berthing space with a dedicated check-in area for embarking passengers during dual ship calls.
The upgrades will be carried out in phases to ensure minimal disruption; the cruise centre will continue to operate on ship call days, Sats said.
Sats shares closed Thursday 7.7 per cent or S$0.19 higher at S$2.65.
