The government says it is a temporary measure as it plans a new terminal The outer berth of the Macau ferry pier is to be converted into an interim terminal for passenger cruise liners. Upgrading work will begin soon and the first liners will berth there next year. The Deputy Commissioner for Tourism, Duncan Pescod, says the aim is to add capacity to existing berths until a major new permanent cruise terminal can be built. The head of the Marine Department's planning and service division, Francis Liu Hon-por, said the harbour side of Shun Tak's Macau Ferry Terminal would be used as a temporary cruise berth. He said it had not been used for several years. Although not as large as the Ocean Terminal across the harbour, it was feasible for use by smaller liners. 'We are co-ordinating with departments such as Civil Engineering to see how to modify and strengthen facilities to fit in the maximum capacity vessels,' Mr Liu said. Other sources said there would have to be extensive refurbishment and design to cope with loading and discharging supplies for a vessel with up to 600 passengers and to handle passenger baggage. Immigration and Customs would pose no problem because the Macau Ferry Terminal already can cope with large crowds. P&O Travel managing director Richard Willis said the plan, which is now under study, would provide only temporary relief. 'That terminal was originally built for small vessels,' said Mr Willis. 'Something has to be done, although this may not help large cruise ships.' Mr Pescod said the proposal was only a temporary measure as the government worked on plans for the development of a major new cruise terminal. 'We will shortly be inviting expressions of interest for this,' he said. 'We've already had useful discussions with key industry players, including the local and international cruise lines.' He was speaking after an outcry in the travel and tourism industries following an announcement that Shanghai may build a $1.25 billion riverside terminal for luxury liners near the Bund. The two million sq metre 'cruise city' planned for Shanghai's waterfront is proposed by Malaysia-based Star Cruises. Four to six liners could berth at once along a 1,200m pier on the Huangpu River, north of the Bund. Tourism leaders in Hong Kong have for years been pressing the authorities to create a major new harbour terminal. Mr Pescod said the government welcomed additional cruise facilities in the region. He said these were important to ensure suitable destinations for regional operators and long-haul cruise lines to visit. 'We believe that Hong Kong is the preferred destination due to its unique geographic location, its wonderful harbour and the superb infrastructure available to support the cruise industry,' he said. 'We have many attractions for people joining or leaving cruises here. What we are doing is to build on this to make Hong Kong even more attractive.' Star Cruises reportedly said in its application for the Shanghai terminal that it could attract a million tourists a year, boosting tourist spending by US$200 million (HK$1.5 billion) a year. If approved by the mainland authorities, the first liners could dock at the Shanghai terminal in 2008. The Shanghai move was met with a wave of anger and frustration by Hong Kong travel professionals who want a modern mid-harbour liner terminal in addition to the four-decades old Ocean Terminal. The industry has urged speedy construction of a multi-purpose terminal which can berth the largest liners afloat alongside a complex offering state-of-the-art transport, retail, commercial, entertainment and accommodation facilities, including at least one hotel. Hong Kong Tourism Board chairwoman Selina Chow Liang Shuk-yee said: 'I don't know if it is funny or tragic. All those involved are equally frustrated. Everybody agrees that a cruise terminal is urgently needed. But somehow as the planning is conducted there are always hitches along the line which delays any decision. 'All we at the tourism board can do is to keep shouting at the top of our voices, saying how very important it is that we hurry up.' Richard Willis of P&O, who is also deputy chairman of the Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents, said Shanghai's intention was 'a clear signal' for Hong Kong to take positive action. 'We must make the necessary and pragmatic decision to start development of a much-needed, dedicated and purpose-designed cruise terminal without further delay,' he warned. Otherwise Hong Kong would surely lose the much-needed tourism receipts from the rapidly growing market segment. The travel industry elected representative in the Legislative Council, Howard Young, said: 'We've been asking for a cruise terminal for years - especially at the old Kai Tak site. It's been talking, discussing, planning, talking, discussing ... anything but acting. We need action.' At present, Hong Kong and Singapore are far ahead of Shanghai in terms of the number of tourists carried by the cruise business. Last year, Shanghai welcomed a mere 47,000 visitors compared with 2.4 million in Hong Kong.
