Cruise passengers arrive at new Sydney terminal - ABC Online

Posted April 15, 2013 11:53:15

Sydney Port Corporation's new White Bay cruise ship terminal has received its first passengers.

Almost 2,000 people disembarked from the P&O cruise liner the Pacific Pearl this morning at about 7:00am (AEDT) as part of a trial for the new facility.

The ship is one of around 150 expected to use the port, near Balmain, over the next 12 months.

CEO of Sydney Ports Corporation Grant Gilfillan says the passengers using the new terminal have praised the new facility.

"It's been designed to enable passengers to flow through the facility," he said.

"This means up to 2,000 to 2,500 passengers can exchange - so that number coming off the ship and the same number getting back on the ship - and are able to move through the terminal, go through customs, have their baggage handled, in a way that would be amongst the best in the world and similar to an airport."

One passenger disembarking today, Andrew from Helensburgh says he was able to get through customs and out of the building in 15 minutes.

"It's absolutely fantastic, we were all extremely impressed," he said.

Another passenger Leanne says she expected teething problems.

"It seems to be moving really well, I'm surprised I thought it was going to be bedlam," she said.

The $57 million facility will receive about half of all cruise ships operating in and out of the city.

In a statement, Ports Minister Duncan gay says construction of the terminal began last March.

He says it was badly needed given the growth in the cruise ship industry.

"We are just coming to the close of what has been another record Sydney cruise season with 265 ship visits and we have already taken more than 280 bookings for next season," he said.

"Given the unprecedented growth in cruising, this new terminal is very timely indeed.

"We have also constructed a dedicated terminal access road to ensure minimal impact on local streets by port traffic."

Mr Gay says White Bay has historically played a key role in Sydney's economy.

"Now as a cruise terminal, it will continue contributing to Sydney's economy, serving not only as a cruise terminal, but as a part-time function centre serving community events on non-ship days," he said.

Topics: travel-and-tourism, balmain-2041