<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<rss version="2.0" xmlns:dc="//purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" d1p1:xsi="//www.gov.tw/schema/RSS20.xsd" xmlns:d1p1="schemaLocation">
<channel>
<title>Taiwan International Ports Corporation, Ltd. Cruise in Taiwan RSS - Hot News</title>
<link>https://</link> 
<description>Taiwan International Ports Corporation, Ltd. Cruise in Taiwan RSS - Hot News</description> 
<copyright>Copyright 2021</copyright> 
<item>
<title>Operational Excellence Underpins Port of Keelung’s Record-Breaking Performance in 2025</title>
<link>https://cruise.twport.com.tw//News-Content.aspx?l=2&amp;nid=10889&amp;listid=2618&amp;p=1&amp;hid=0&amp;q=&amp;s_date=&amp;e_date=&amp;fromCnt=0</link>
<description><![CDATA[Port of Keelung, the Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC) subsidiary responsible for the three commercial ports of Keelung, Taipei, and Suao, returned exceptional operational performance results in 2025. Moreover, all indicators show the subsidiary on course to meet this year’s goals and realize steady growth going forward. Notably, the respective 143.36 million RT and 3.06 million TEU in handled cargo and container volumes, 1.11 million passenger handled, and NT$5.635 billion in operational revenues reported by Port of Keelung in 2025 all represent historic new highs. In terms of shipping, Port of Keelung-operated container yards continue to demonstrate resilient competitiveness, with the 594,000 TEU handled in 2025 marking not only a 21% increase over 2024 but also a new all-time high. Also, the robust rise in e-commerce flows continues to benefit Taipei Port’s sea express business in particular, with 265 million kg in e-commerce goods handled in 2025. Notably, the recent launch of the first sea-express handling center at Keelung Port is helping optimize port facility utilization while strategically diversifying the port’s business portfolio. Port of Keelung’s performance in the international cruise sector is particularly noteworthy, with the 993,000 international cruise ship passengers handled by the subsidiary last year not only representing a 26% increase over 2024 but also marking a return to the one-million-passenger peak reached in the year preceding the COVID-19 pandemic. Of this number, 376,000 were foreign (non-Taiwan) passport holders, up from 266,000 in 2024 and marking a new historic high. In addition, Keelung Port welcomed a total of 19 maiden voyages to its passenger terminals, including those from two new cruise brands, Scenic Cruises and Mitsui Ocean Cruises, further underlining the growing allure of Keelung as a home port for international cruise brands. Also, Suao Port’s eight international cruise ship calls in 2025 reflect rising international cruise line interest in Suao as a destination for in-depth tourism along and around Taiwan’s northeast coast. In the realms of smart-port and digital transformation, the subsidiary advanced numerous initiatives in 2025 aimed at enhancing port operational efficiencies and safety / security. Examples include: 1) the Intrusion Detection System (IDS) Installation Project (Keelung, Taipei and Suao Ports), designed to upgrade vessel positioning and tracking capabilities using integrated AIS and AI-enabled recognition technologies with the goal of enhancing vessel safety during arrivals and departures; 2) the Truck Scale Smart Upgrade Project (Taipei and Suao Ports), designed to digitalize related paperwork, reduce truck wait times, and lower carbon emissions; and 3) the Taiwan Ports Passenger System Project, designed to integrate passenger vessel berthing, forecasting, verification, and record-keeping operations with the goal of integrating related information within the TIPC organization to realize greater passenger handling and processing efficiencies. In addition, the subsidiary continues to refine and improve the effectiveness of its port management functions. These ongoing improvements were recognized in 2025 in various ways, including an award from the Ministry of Environment for exemplary use of recycled incinerator bottom ash in construction, a TSAA Bronze Award for Sustainability Action (SDG-12), ISO/CNS certification by BSI, Taiwan “i Sports” certification by the Ministry of Sports, recognition by TIPC for exceptional promotion of ESG sustainability, first place (outstanding enterprise group) in the 2025 Keelung City Breastfeeding Room Excellence Awards Competition, and first place in the Keelung Municipal Public Restroom Assessment. Furthermore, both Keelung and Suao Ports passed EcoPort re-certification in 2025. These and other official endorsements reflect and affirm the effectiveness of Port of Keelung’s efforts with regard to long-term operational sustainability. Port of Keelung works to achieve its goals as a seamlessly integrated port group and is committed to optimizing available port resources and actively developing port-business partnerships. New business generated by the 26 open-bid contracts signed between Port of Keelung and various private enterprises last year are expected to grow annual port revenues by NT$169 million. Moreover, the bid for the Keelung City (Qidu District) Yi-Teh New Village Urban Redevelopment Project currently underway, which marks the subsidiary’s first foray into revitalizing port-owned land as part of an urban renewal program, symbolizes Port of Keelung’s ongoing and active expansion of commercial interests into areas peripheral to its core port business. Furthermore, to build consensus, promote active cooperation and exchange, and establish a good foundation for growth in 2026, Port of Keelung held an end-of-the-year Afternoon Tea Break &amp;amp; Sharing Session with Port Businesses gathering with its port-industry partners on December 31st of last year. In terms of construction and engineering, Port of Keelung is pushing ahead with a wide range of related projects, including the ongoing Port of Keelung West Passenger Terminal Environmental Enhancement Project. Installation of a high-voltage shore power supply (HVSPS) system will be completed this year at Keelung Port’s East Wharf No. 4 to meet the in-port power needs of visiting cruise ships. Also, with regard to the 450,000 m3 of incinerator bottom ash aggregate and 1.846 million m3 of basic oxygen-furnace slag (BOF-S) designated in 2025 to be used in reclaiming land needed for Taipei Port’s new Logistics and Warehouse District in 2025, the 742,000 m3 of BOF-S already delivered and installed in Taipei Port’s windbreak forest zone has effectively reduced the project’s projected carbon emissions by 2.98 million mt while providing a new and effective source of land reclamation material and improving revenue generation. Looking ahead to 2026, TIPC’s Port of Keelung subsidiary will continue, with safety as its priority consideration, to build on past and ongoing accomplishments to comprehensively strengthen safety management across all aspects of port administration, terminal, and engineering operations with the universal goals of zero accidents / safety incidents and the maintenance of the safest port work environment possible. Concurrently, the subsidiary will continue deepening the integration and implementation of smart management and carbon reduction measures and promoting digital transformation and carbon-reduction practices on the way to realizing the long-term sustainability of all its port operations. Beyond building its ports up as critical hubs of maritime commerce, Port of Keelung looks forward to utilizing them to promote port-city growth and prosperity and to build safer, smarter, greener port-city landscapes in close partnership with neighboring city administrations, citizens and businesses. Provided by：Port Business Dept., Port of Keelung, TIPC Contact Person：Lucy Lee, Researcher Telephone No.：886-2-2420-6279 E-mail Address：lucylee@twport.com.tw Image 1. Luxury cruise liner Celebrity Millennium berthed at West Wharf No. 3 (righthand side of the image) and Oceania Cruises’ Regatta and Seabourn Cruise Line’s Seabourn Encounter berthed at East Wharf Nos. 2 and 4 (lefthand side of the image) Image 2. Port of Keelung, TIPC “Afternoon Tea Break &amp;amp; Sharing Session with Port Businesses” held on December 31st, 2025, attended by TIPC Chairman Yung-hui Chou (front right) and TIPC President Chin-jung Wang (front left) ]]></description>
<PubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 13:46:00 GMT+08:00</PubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Port of Kaohsiung Deepens Baltic Region Ties, Pens MOU with Poland’s Port of Gdynia</title>
<link>https://cruise.twport.com.tw//News-Content.aspx?l=2&amp;nid=10888&amp;listid=2618&amp;p=1&amp;hid=0&amp;q=&amp;s_date=&amp;e_date=&amp;fromCnt=0</link>
<description><![CDATA[Port of Kaohsiung signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) today (March 20th) with the Port of Gdynia, Poland’s principal commercial port, further deepening ties between Taiwan’s largest maritime gateway and Europe’s Baltic region. Port of Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s largest commercial port, has long served as a key transshipment hub for Asia Pacific container traffic. Port of Gdynia, a key deep-water port on the Baltic Sea, is working to implement smart port systems and infrastructure upgrades with the goal of bolstering its importance both to Poland’s economy and to Europe’s integrated transportation network. Port of Kaohsiung’s latest MOU highlights the continuing expansion of cooperation between Taiwan and commercial ports across Central and Eastern Europe. The MOU was signed by Port of Kaohsiung Harbor Master Tsu-Chiang Chen and Port of Gdynia Strategy and Market Development Office Deputy Director Grzegorz Bławat, with TIPC President Chin-jung Wang and Polish Secretary of State at the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy Jacek Karnowski serving as official witnesses. Both parties look forward to finalizing long-term mechanisms for sharing and exchange; facilitating cooperative initiatives in the realms of smart port transformation, security management, and technology development and innovation; and further stimulating Asia-Europe shipping and trade activity. Exchanges currently envisioned under the MOU include the sharing of port administration and management experience, smart port and digitalization applications, and green port and carbon reduction measures as well as enhanced cooperation between the two country’s shipping and logistics sectors. The goal of this regularized experience and information sharing is to raise the operational effectiveness and international competitiveness of both signatory ports. Beyond bringing Taiwan and European ports closer together, TIPC sees the MOU as laying a firm foundation for global shipping and logistics sector cooperation and the subsequent growth and expansion of trade between East Asia and Europe. Both ports look forward to jointly organizing relevant workshops, seminars, and delegations to promote mutual interests, deepen bilateral cooperation initiatives, and create new opportunities benefitting the maritime shipping sectors of both countries. Provided by：Port Business Dept., Port of Kaohsiung, TIPC Contact Person：Yi-wen Wang, Manager Telephone No.：886-7-562-2153 E-mail Address：T02857@twport.com.tw Image 1. Group photo at the MOU Signing Ceremony. from left to right - Polish Office in Taipei Director Janusz Henryk Bilski, Deputy Mayor of Gdynia Tomasz Augustyniak, Port of Gdynia Strategy and Market Development Office Deputy Director Grzegorz Bławat, Kaohsiung City Deputy Mayor Ta-sheng Lo, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy Jacek Karnowski, Port of Kaohsiung Harbor Master Tsu-Chiang Chen, and TIPC President Chin-jung Wang Image 2. TIPC President Chin-jung Wang presenting a framed commemorative relief of Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal to Deputy Director of the Port of Gdynia Strategy and Market Development Office Grzegorz Bławat Image 3. Group photo taken during the signing ceremony event Image 4. Aerial view of the Port of Gdynia Image 5. Port of Gdynia container wharf Image 6. Cruise ship entering Port of Gdynia Image 7. Granary silos, Port of Gdynia Image 8. Coal storage facility, Port of Gdynia ]]></description>
<PubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 13:34:00 GMT+08:00</PubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>TIPC Multilingual Signage Rollout at Passenger Terminals Set to Improve Services and Bolster Global Hospitality Image as Cruise Passenger Numbers Break All-Time Records</title>
<link>https://cruise.twport.com.tw//News-Content.aspx?l=2&amp;nid=10887&amp;listid=2618&amp;p=1&amp;hid=0&amp;q=&amp;s_date=&amp;e_date=&amp;fromCnt=0</link>
<description><![CDATA[Helped by overall growth in the global cruise market, Taiwan’s cruise travel industry is delivering exceptional performance on all fronts. In 2025, commercial ports administered by the Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC) handled an all-time-record 567 cruise ship visits with nearly 1.16 million total passenger movements (embarkation and disembarkation combined). Of these, the 470,000 international passengers on these ships (41% of the total) also set a new all-time high. The continued expansion and growth of Taiwan-based fly cruise packages offer an additional indicator of Taiwan’s rising star as a key Asia cruise hub. To service the diverse needs of the growing number of international cruise visitors to Taiwan, TIPC has been engaged in a long-term effort to enhance cruise terminal facilities and foreign-language service capabilities with an eye toward delivering a world-class experience to every passenger and ultimately raising the international visibility and competitiveness of TIPC port passenger services. Sensitive to foreign passenger needs for clear instructions and user-friendly terminal facilities, TIPC is working on an extensive upgrade of signage throughout its passenger terminals to provide easy-to-understand information in four languages - Chinese, English, Japanese, and Korean. Signage upgrade work has already been completed at Keelung Port East Passenger Terminal and Suao Port Passenger Center, with related work ongoing at Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal. Other passenger terminals in the signage upgrade program includeKeelung Port West Passenger Terminal, Port of Hualien’s Passenger Center, and the recently finished Penghu Cruise Passenger center. The program is being rolled out in stages, with designs taking into consideration each port’s unique character as well as the practical considerations necessary to ensure all new signage delivers clear, easy-to-read information. Other TIPC port passenger terminals will also be added to the program as needed to further improve service quality and passenger experiences. TIPC notes that, in addition to ongoing upgrades to physical port passenger facilities, multilingual signage represents a key step in port internationalization and the refinement of passenger-dedicated services. The installation of clear, intuitive, internationally recognized direction and information systems is expected to further raise efficiency and safety while demonstrating the professionalism and welcoming inclusivity that increasingly define TIPC port operations, letting visitors from around the world experience genuine warmth and convenience. Looking ahead, TIPC will continue building and refining its world-class cruise passenger service systems to shore up Taiwan’s key position in the Asia-Pacific cruise market and to give every international passenger a heartfully memorable first impression. Provided by：Harbor Operation Management Dept., TIPC Contact Person：Ta-wei Wu, Manager Telephone No.：886-7-521900#3350 E-mail Address：T03159@twport.com.tw Image 1. Norwegian Sun berthed at Port of Keelung’s East Passenger Terminal Image 2. Mitsui Ocean Fuji at berth next to Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal Image 3. Newly completed multilingual signage upgrade, Suao Port Passenger Center Images 4~5. Newly completed multilingual signage upgrade, Keelung Port East Passenger Terminal ]]></description>
<PubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 13:29:00 GMT+08:00</PubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>TIPC 14th Anniversary Celebrations, the Golden Vessel Awards, and the Port of Subic Bay Sister Port Signing Ceremony All Wrapped up in One!</title>
<link>https://cruise.twport.com.tw//News-Content.aspx?l=2&amp;nid=10813&amp;listid=2618&amp;p=1&amp;hid=0&amp;q=&amp;s_date=&amp;e_date=&amp;fromCnt=0</link>
<description><![CDATA[Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC) celebrated its 14th anniversary on February 25th, 2026 in the Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal under the banner “Galloping Forward, Celebrating Springtime”. The event, which combined anniversary celebrations and this year’s traditional spring kickoff banquet, was attended by over 200 guests from the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), harbor trade associations, shipping companies, CIQS agencies, and other public and private organizations. The event also featured the sister-port signing ceremony between Port of Kaohsiung and Philippine’s Subic Bay Port and the annual Golden Vessel Awards (GVA), at which Kaochun Logistics &amp;amp; Stevedoring Chairman Wu-hsiung Wang received GVA’s very first Special Recognition Award for his outstanding contributions to the commercial ports sector. In remarks given at the celebration, Kaohsiung City Mayor Chi-mai Chen underlined the integrated nature of the relationship between the port and city of Kaohsiung, describing how both work together closely to meet and address the challenges of today’s fast-changing world. He pledged continuing cooperation with TIPC on key issues such as digital transformation and business sustainability to optimize efforts to achieve the best future for Kaohsiung. 2025 - A Year of Continued Positives for TIPC In his welcoming remarks, TIPC Chairman Yung-hui Chou conveyed the gratitude shared by MOTC Minister Shih-kai Chen to the entire TIPC organization for another year of fruitful collaboration and hard work before warmly thanking all TIPC colleagues and industry partners for their contribution to TIPC’s impressive growth in recent years and to the record NT$23.53 billion in revenues earned last year (2025). While growth has been remarkable across the board, he continued, the cruise segment has been especially impressive, with the 567 international cruise ship calls in 2025 marking a 37% increase over 2024. Also, the nearly 1.17 million passengers handled last year exceeds the previous record-high set just before the pandemic. Looking ahead, on the four pillars of stronger ports, intelligent operations, tourism reinvigoration, and business sustainability, TIPC will continue enhancing port infrastructures and service capabilities, improving the quality of cruise ship and passenger services, and integrating digitalization and sustainability innovations to steadily and sustainably increase the benefits provided by Taiwan’s port industry and tourism sector to regional and national economies. Port Diplomacy’s Southward Expansion: First Taiwan-Philippines Sister Port Relationship Established With facilitative assistance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Port of Kaohsiung and Philippine’s Port of Subic Bay formally tied the sister-port knot at this year’s anniversary celebrations. The official documents were signed by TIPC President Chin-jung Wang and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Board Director Patrick Jean Gonzales. SBMA operates the first and most-important free trade port in the Philippines and is an important center of shipbuilding and logistics and distribution services. Beyond reflecting national southbound economic development strategy priorities, the sister-port agreement with SBMA will deepen mutual ties in the realms of port development, operational safety, and digital data and communications security; increase related staff exchanges and cooperation; and strengthen Port of Kaohsiung’s position as a key hub port within the Asia Pacific region. Advancing National Energy Policy Objectives: Port of Taichung Joins Taipower in Installing New Natural Gas Pipeline Infrastructure As an active partner in advancing national energy policy goals, TIPC subsidiary Port of Taichung penned a lease agreement with Taipower Company at the anniversary celebration for a tract of water area in the port’s southern section, where Taipower has announced plans to install underwater gas pipeline and supporting infrastructure. When finished, the system is expected to handle some 2.3 million mt of natural gas annually. This project underscores TIPC’s ongoing critical role in supporting the buildout and upgrading of national energy infrastructures necessary to ensure national energy security. Inaugural Golden Vessel Special Recognition Award Presented The anniversary celebration also served as the setting for the 2025 Golden Vessel Awards. This year, the GVA honored 30 firms for their exceptional performance in container wharf, cargo wharf, stevedoring, and shipping agency operations as well as for port sustainability and overall attainment. Also this year, the inaugural GVA Special Recognition Award was announced, with Kaochun Logistics &amp;amp; Stevedoring Co. Chairman Wu-hsiung Wang named as its recipient in recognition of his long-term contributions to the port sector and exceptional achievements in promoting the advancement of the industry. Chairman Wang played a critical role in promoting and establishing Port of Kaohsiung as Taiwan’s first and only LME physical delivery port for non-ferrous metals as well as in establishing the port as an international center of paper pulp distribution. His efforts have added significant value and volume to Port of Kaohsiung’s FTZ business and fueled related industry development in the greater Kaohsiung region. Looking ahead, TIPC will continue optimizing port operational efficiencies; working to enhance environmental protection, social responsibility, and corporate governance; and partnering closely with its shipping and port industry partners to realize a new era of sustainable success for Taiwan’s international commercial ports. ※Appendix：2025 Golden Vessel Award Recipients Special Recognition：Wu-hsiung Wang, Chairman, Kaochun Logistics &amp;amp; Stevedoring Co., Ltd. Container Wharf Operations：Evergreen Marine Corp. (Taiwan) Ltd., Taipei Port Container Terminal Corp., Wan Hai Lines, Ltd., and Kao Ming Container Terminal Corp. Cargo Wharf Operations：CPC Corp., China Steel Corp., Taiwan Power (Taipower) Company, and Dragon Steel Corp. Stevedoring Operations：Taiwan Terminal Services Corp., Ltd., United Logistics International Co., Ltd., China Container Terminal Corp., Teh Long Warehousing &amp;amp; Stevedoring Co., and Chien Shing Harbour Service Co., Ltd. Shipping Agency：Evergreen Marine Corp., Glory Shipping Agency Corp., GAC (Taiwan), Ltd., Acme Shipping Agency Co., Ltd., Wan Hai Lines, Ltd., Dahan Shipping Agency Co., Ltd., Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp., and Ta Shin Shipping Co., Ltd. Exceptional Performance：Haiguang Power Co. (preparation office), CPC Corp., Total Swiss International Co., Ltd., StarDream Cruises, and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. Port Sustainability：Concourse Logistics Solution Provider Co., Ltd., Formosa Plastics Corp., and Asia Cement Corp. Provided by：Port Business Dept., TIPC Contact Person：Mark Lin, Manager Telephone No.：886-7-521-9000 ext. 3210 E-mail Address：marklin@twport.com.tw Image 1. TIPC Chairman Yung-hui Chou giving welcoming remarks Image 2. Kaohsiung City Mayor Chi-mai Chen giving welcoming remarks Image 3. TIPC Anniversary Celebration group photo Image 4. Sister port signing ceremony between the ports of Kaohsiung and Subic Bay (Philippines) Image 5. Port of Taichung and Taipower pen lease agreement for underwater gas pipeline between the port and Taipower’s Tongxiao Power Plant Image 6. TIPC Chairman Yung-hui Chou (left) presents Golden Vessel Award to Kaochun Logistics &amp;amp; Stevedoring Company Chairman Wu-hsiung Wang (right) Image 7. Group photo ]]></description>
<PubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2026 16:33:00 GMT+08:00</PubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Newly Reopened Penglai International Cruise Terminal at Port of Kaohsiung Enhanced and Expanded Through the Integration of Warehouse Nos. 9-2 and 8-2</title>
<link>https://cruise.twport.com.tw//News-Content.aspx?l=2&amp;nid=10812&amp;listid=2618&amp;p=1&amp;hid=0&amp;q=&amp;s_date=&amp;e_date=&amp;fromCnt=0</link>
<description><![CDATA[Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC) has now renovated and repurposed two 1950s-era warehouse buildings (Warehouses 9-2 and 8-2) into an integrated new terminal for cruise passengers and port visitors. The renovated facility, in combination with adjacent waterfront leisure and recreation facilities, forms the all-new Port of Kaohsiung Penglai International Cruise Terminal (PICT). Located in the port’s Penglai Commercial District, the terminal is a short walk from both Pier-2 Art District and Kaohsiung Port Warehouse No. 2 (KW2). The renovated facility adds nearly 900 m2 of arrival / departure processing space and some 700 m2 of new baggage claim space, and provides sufficient space for 14 manned immigration counters as well as 4 biometric e-Gates. The new terminal building’s larger immigration, waiting, rest, and activity spaces improve comfort for cruise passengers and enhance the quality of terminal amenities. Together with the nearby Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal (behind Wharf Nos. 19 and 20), the PICT sits at the entrance to scenic Love River, welcoming cruise ship visitors to engage with all the fun and energy the city beyond has on offer. Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal, the nation’s only certified sustainable building designed with aesthetically curved curtain walls, operates 22 manned immigration counters and 4 biometric e-Gates. With both cruise terminals now fully operational, Port of Kaohsiung can handle up to four international cruise ships at a time, with high capacity public transportation systems, including the city’s Circular Light Rail system (easily accessed from PICT at Dayi Pier-2 Station and from KPCT at Cruise Terminal Station), ready to whisk passengers to popular attractions across the Kaohsiung metropolitan area. Warehouse 9-2, originally used for lumber and plywood storage and shipping, was retooled and repurposed as a passenger clearance station with the decline of Taiwan’s forestry industry, reopening as the Penglai International Passenger Terminal in October 2014. Responding to the steady growth in both Kaohsiung City tourism and international cruise ship arrivals, Port of Kaohsiung planners proposed expanding the existing terminal by incorporating the adjacent Warehouse 8-2 building. Extant walls were removed, structural elements were reinforced, electrical systems were rewired, and the interior of the combined facility was completely refinished. Also, a central corridor was built to connect the two original buildings and an all-weather canopy was installed over the shuttle pickup / drop-off area for the convenience and comfort of travelers. Operations at the newly completed PICT were inaugurated with the visit to Port of Kaohsiung by Holland-America Line’s MS Westerdam on March 8th of this year (2026). The smooth handling through the terminal of the 285m-long, 32.2m-wide Westerdam’s more than 1,900 passengers attests well to the newly reopened terminal’s world-class passenger handling capabilities. Beyond its role as a key gateway for arriving and departing cruise ship passengers, TIPC hopes to establish the PICT as a popular draw for city residents and visitors as well. Thus, space on the second and third floor central corridor has been designated for use by retail businesses (e.g., cafes, F&amp;amp;B establishments, culture-creative shops) that will complement the “waterfront fun” theme envisioned for the district by the Port of Kaohsiung. The terminal as well as nearby keynote attractions such as the Pier-2 Art District, Great Harbor Bridge, Kaohsiung Music Center, Glory Pier, and Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal represent both the new centerpiece of Greater Kaohsiung tourism and a rising star in the East Asia port-city constellation. Provided by：Construction Mgmt. &amp;amp; Engineering Dept., Port of Kaohsiung, TIPC Contact Person：Chun-hao Chen, Supervisor Telephone No.：886-7-5622259 E-mail Address：T02629@twport.com.tw Image 1. Exterior view of the Penglai International Cruise Terminal Image 2. Penglai International Cruise Terminal Main Hall Image 3. Cruise passengers may easily walk from Penglai International Cruise Terminal to nearby attractions such as the Pier-2 Art District and Kaohsiung Port Warehouse No. 2 (KW2) complex ]]></description>
<PubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:53:00 GMT+08:00</PubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Port of Keelung and Taiwan Railway Corporation Organize Pedal-Powered Excursion of Metro Taipei Highlights for AIDA Cruises during AIDAdiva’s Maiden Visit to Keelung Port</title>
<link>https://cruise.twport.com.tw//News-Content.aspx?l=2&amp;nid=10810&amp;listid=2618&amp;p=1&amp;hid=0&amp;q=&amp;s_date=&amp;e_date=&amp;fromCnt=0</link>
<description><![CDATA[Port of Keelung received the maiden visit by AIDA Cruises’ AIDAdiva and its 1,977 passengers at 07:00 today (January 23rd). To both mark the port’s first maiden visit of this year and provide a warm welcome, Port of Keelung arranged a formal water salute and presented the AIDAdiva’s captain with a commemorative plaque. AIDA Cruises is one of Germany’s three largest cruise lines. Different from most industry competitors, German cruise companies regularly provide cycling excursions as part of in-port local tour packages, with passengers offered guided pedal-powered explorations of local scenic and cultural landscapes on cruise-line-provided bicycles. With the continued rise of non-Taiwanese cruise passenger numbers (376,000 in 2025) and Germans now comprising the fourth-largest group of non-Taiwanese passenger arrivals by nationality, Port of Keelung established the Cruise &amp;amp; Cycle Tourism Alliance to proactively meet the anticipated demand for onshore cycling-friendly itineraries and activities. The Alliance joins the Association of Taiwan Ports, Taiwan Railway Corporation (TR), and Taiwan Railways Tourism Association in partnership with organizations including Taipei City’s Department of Information and Tourism with the goal of creating and supporting low-carbon itineraries that link the cruise industry, cycling, and rail travel. To better understand passenger interests and expectations, port officials invited AIDAdiva’s itinerary planning team on an Alliance-sponsored cycling experience while in port. The day’s itinerary included a ride on the local commuter bicycle train from Keelung to Taipei City (TR Songshan Station) and a pedal-powered excursion that commenced at the national Cycling Route No. 1 0km mark and followed the bicycle trail along the Keelung River, with stops at Lin An Tai Historical House, the Grand Hotel, Martyrs’ Shrine, Ching-Kuo Chi-Hai Cultural Park, Dalongdong Bao’an Temple, Taipei Confucius Temple, and other city sights. The activity drew attention to Port of Keelung’s natural advantages for cycling enthusiasts, including easy access to TR Keelung Station (a short walk from West Passenger Terminal), the convenience of TR’s bike-train service, and the diversity of attractions accessible along Taipei City’s extensive river bike trail network. Port of Keelung hopes the accessibility and allure of cycling opportunities in northern Taiwan will attract a growing number of calls to the port by German cruise ships in the future. Port officials remain committed to helping cruise lines arrange onshore passenger experiences that are worry-free, well-planned and executed, and uniquely memorable. Port of Keelung continues to deepen cross-sector partnerships that facilitate the integration of port, rail, and city tourism resources with the goals of promoting an expanding menu of diverse, low-carbon onshore activities for cruise passengers, increasing the port’s international competitiveness, and facilitating the delivery of high-quality, unique, and ecologically sustainable cruise experiences. ※Basic Data on the AIDAdiva： Tonnage：69,203 GT Length：251 m Beam：32 m Capacity：2,050 passengers Prior Call：Ishigaki Next Call：Kaohsiung Provided by：Stevedoring and Warehousing Dept., Port of Keelung, TIPC Contact Person：Huai-hsuan Liu, Manager Telephone No.：886-2-2420-6421 E-mail Address：sharon06@twport.com.tw Image 1. The AIDAdiva berthed at Port of Keelung on January 23rd (West Wharf 3) Image 2. Port of Keelung Senior Researcher Wei-chien Chang (left) presents commemorative plaque to AIDAdiva Captain Michael Schmid (right) Image 3. Cruise &amp;amp; Cycle Tourism Alliance cycle team stop in front of the AIDAdiva for a group photo before setting out Image 4. Cruise &amp;amp; Cycle Tourism Alliance travel with their bicycles by train from Keelung to Songshan (Taipei) for a low-carbon day tour of the metropolis. Image 5. Cruise &amp;amp; Cycle Tourism Alliance stop for a group photo at the national “Cycling Route No. 1” 0km marker at TR Songshan Station ]]></description>
<PubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:39:00 GMT+08:00</PubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Making Impressive Headway against Strong Headwinds: TIPC’s 2026 Game Plan Aims to Build Long-Term Sustainability by Strengthening Port Operations, Fueling Tourism, and Enhancing Smart Management</title>
<link>https://cruise.twport.com.tw//News-Content.aspx?l=2&amp;nid=10750&amp;listid=2618&amp;p=1&amp;hid=0&amp;q=&amp;s_date=&amp;e_date=&amp;fromCnt=0</link>
<description><![CDATA[The sluggish global economy, ongoing supply chain restructuring, and rise in geopolitical risks stress-tested the capabilities and resilience of the global shipping sector in 2025. Over the just-finished year, Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC) realized steady, stable growth in its core business and continued progress in efforts related to business diversification and smart sustainability. Total revenues for the port group topped NT$23.53 billion in 2025, reaching an all-time high. Furthermore, the 690 million revenue tons (R/T) of total cargo throughput and 13.55 million TEU of containers handled through Taiwan’s international commercial ports this past year demonstrates the critical role played by TIPC in bolstering the resilience of the nation’s maritime and shipping sector. In terms of capital investments and construction, the 18 major project bids completed by TIPC in 2025 will bring in some NT$8.903 billion in new investment to TIPC ports in projects covering container shipping, offshore wind power, the green energy sector, and warehouse / logistics. Concurrently, in line with the national five year planning scheme, TIPC is steadily improving infrastructures and supporting facilities across the port group, paving the way for handling significantly larger commercial vessels, setting up emerging industry operations within TIPC ports, and supporting national energy transformation efforts as well as fueling expansion in port-service and industrial-carrying capacities. The cruise ship and travel markets continued their post-pandemic rebound. Benefitting from cruise ship call incentives and discounts, overseas marketing campaigns, and active cooperation with cruise lines, TIPC ports recorded 567 international cruise ship visits carrying some 1.15 million passengers in 2025, achieving numbers on par with or better than pre-pandemic numbers. Port of Keelung has successfully secured new homeport agreements with several new international cruise lines, while Port of Kaohsiung’s new state-of-the-art Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal, beyond setting a new high bar for cruise passenger service and reception facilities, has become the centerpiece attraction for Kaohsiung City waterfront tourism and a powerful engine of port-city prosperity. In terms of digital and smart-port transformation, TIPC launched a number of key initiatives under the Trans-SMART 2.0+ Plan in 2025 covering port security monitoring, wharf operations management, port business management, and innovation trials. Operations Command &amp;amp; Control Platform, integrating data on vessels, cargo, weather, and operations, instituted a “central nervous system” that, in concert with AI-driven vessel image detection, port bridge monitoring systems, and improvements to critical wharf infrastructures, has facilitated faster decision-making and overall port resilience, ensuring the stability of everyday port logistics. In the realm of sustainability, all seven international commercial ports under TIPC administration currently operate under ecoport certification, with the ports of Keelung, Suao, Taichung, and Anping passing all required recertification procedures in 2025. Also, work to install solar power collection and storage facilities interlinked via a smart microgrid at Port of Kaohsiung was completed last year. Furthermore, TIPC has continued to upgrade environmental resilience and sustainable management efficiency at all of its ports via the installation of energy-saving upgrades and enhancements, implementation of greenhouse gas inventories, and promotion of carbon reduction measures in ongoing TIPC engineering projects. These and other TIPC sustainability initiatives have been recognized in three consecutive Taiwan Corporate Sustainability (TCS) gold awards for sustainability reporting and the 2025 TCS category award for transparency and integrity leadership, underscoring the significant strides made in governance integrity, information transparency, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility. Since taking the helm, TIPC Chairman Yung-hui Chou’s leadership of TIPC has centered on achieving the medium-term goals of strengthening port operations, fueling tourism, and enhancing smart management to build long-term sustainability, while emphasizing the importance of pursuing a well-balanced development strategy for the entire port group. This approach reflects the need to, on one hand, stabilize and strengthen TIPC’s core business while enhancing overall operational efficiencies and, on the other hand, pursue key digital transformation and sustainability objectives as well as opportunities for cooperation with local government, industry, and academic institutions to elevate ports beyond hubs of trade into incubators of industry innovation / enhancement and port-city development. In 2026, TIPC will continue ongoing efforts to enhance critical infrastructure and services, improve roadway and other links with inland transportation networks, upgrade the quality of cruise passenger and port tourism services, and expand the implementation of smart systems and AI-enhanced applications. Also, TIPC will pursue advanced energy and carbon-reduction strategies to keep all of its subsidiary ports in close alignment with international sustainability trends as well as a subsidiary specialization strategy designed to ensure each TIPC subsidiary port has a unique role to play in the overall TIPC strategic blueprint. Finally, TIPC will continue to enhance the international competitiveness of its port group as part of national efforts to enhance Taiwan’s global profile and visibility. Provided by：Planning and Development Dept., TIPC Contact Person：Shu-hui Tsai, Senior Researcher Telephone No.：886-7-2136921 E-mail Address：T02063@twport.com.tw Image 1. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sun at berth at Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal on December 2nd, 2025 Image 2. Concurrent visits by Star Navigator (bottom left) and MSC Bellissima (upper right) to Port of Keelung on May 23rd, 2025 Image 3. Port of Kaohsiung’s 7th Container Terminal ]]></description>
<PubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 18:20:00 GMT+08:00</PubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Led by a 40% Jump in Foreign Passenger Arrivals, Port of Keelung’s Cruise Ship Business Sets an Impressive Four All-Time Records in 2025</title>
<link>https://cruise.twport.com.tw//News-Content.aspx?l=2&amp;nid=10747&amp;listid=2618&amp;p=1&amp;hid=0&amp;q=&amp;s_date=&amp;e_date=&amp;fromCnt=0</link>
<description><![CDATA[Port of Keelung welcomed 219 cruise ship calls and handled a record-breaking 993,000 international cruise passengers in 2025. All-time records were also set last year for foreign (non-Taiwanese) passengers, fly-cruise passengers, and cruise ship maiden visits handled at the port, making 2025 a truly banner year for northern Taiwan’s maritime gateway. In terms of international cruise ship passenger numbers, the 993,000 welcomed in 2025 mark a hefty 26.2% increase from the 787,000 welcomed in 2024 and a nice 4.9% bump over the previous all-time high of 946,000 welcomed in 2019, just before the pandemic. Primary credit for the large increase last year goes to the return to Keelung of StarCruises, which made 79 cruise ship calls bringing a total of 312,000 passengers. Other key contributors include MSC Cruises, which deployed East Asia’s largest cruise liner to the port in 2025 and paid 30 calls at Keelung with a total of 229,000 passengers, and Costa Cruises, which paid 42 calls at Keelung with a total of 229,000 passengers. Together, these three cruise lines accounted for over 81.6% of cruise market activity at the port last year. Looking ahead, StarCruises and MSC Cruises have already announced plans to further raise their Keelung call numbers in 2026, fueling anticipation of a continuing upward growth trend in this market through the foreseeable future. With regard to foreign passenger numbers, Port of Keelung processed a record-breaking 376,000 non-Taiwanese passengers in 2025. This eye-opening 41.3% increase over the also-record-breaking 266,000 processed just the previous year (2024) pushed overall passenger numbers to an all-time high as well. Primary credit for this goes to the rise in cruise ship port-of-call visits, which were up by 27 over the previous year and accounted for 88,000 additional passengers. Of note, the 7 charter cruises organized by Costa Cruises between Keelung and Korea in 2025 brought some 31,000 Korean passengers to enjoy the touristic allures of northern Taiwan. These voyages increased Korea’s share in overall cruise passenger arrivals from 2.9% in 2024 to 11.4% in 2025 (note: the top four cruise passenger nationalities in 2025 were - Japanese: 32.1%, American: 16%, Korean: 11.4%, and German: 6.5%). In addition, the 61,000 foreign tourists participating in Taiwan fly-cruise vacations in 2025 more than doubled the previous all-time record of 38,000 set in 2018. Norwegian Cruise Line’s 7 Keelung homeport voyages account for most of this number (44.4%), carrying 27,000 fly-cruise passengers, all of whom were foreign passport holders. Taiwan’s cruise ship market continues to benefit from TIPC’s long-running strategic promotion and marketing efforts. In 2025, a record-breaking 19 cruise ships registered maiden visits to Port of Keelung. Even more noteworthy, four cruise lines that had never previously called in Taiwan made their historic first calls at Keelung in 2025. These included the adventure operator Scenic Cruises, luxury operator Mitsui Ocean Cruises, Korea’s Duwon Cruise &amp;amp; Ferry Co., Ltd., and residence cruise operator Villa Vie. Remarkably, Villa Vie Odyssey’s four-day tie-up at Keelung marked the longest multiday stay ever by a cruise ship in Taiwan - hinting at the significant untapped potential for longer-stay, in-depth tourism experiences targeting international passengers. After completing its maiden visit, Mitsui Ocean Fuji quickly announced Keelung homeport operations and opened new cruise departures from the port. Overall, 2025 saw Port of Keelung’s cruise market grow in terms of both volume and diversity, pointing toward continued healthy growth and stable operations through the coming years. Beyond working to expand the number and variety of cruise ship visits, TIPC is steadily working to enhance the experience of passengers visiting and passing through Taiwan’s major ports. Plans are underway this year (2026) to subsidize the purchase and installation of four additional e-gates at the National Immigration Agency’s facility inside Keelung West Passenger Terminal. This will double the number of e-gates at the terminal to eight, facilitating the faster, more-efficient processing of in- and outbound passengers. Also, with cruise companies such as MSC Cruises and StarCruises now adding new Keelung homeport voyages during the once-slow winter cruise season, this year, Port of Keelung will be testing the feasibility of installing warm-water taps in West Passenger Terminal restrooms for user comfort during northern Taiwan’s regularly damp and chilly winter months. Provided by：Stevedoring and Warehousing Dept., Port of Keelung, TIPC Contact Person：Huai-hsuan Liu, Manager Telephone No.：886-2-2420-6421 E-mail Address：sharon06@twport.com.tw Image 1. Concurrent visits by Norwegian Sky (left) and Costa Serena (right) to Port of Keelung on January 26th, 2025 Image 2. Concurrent visits by Star Navigator (bottom left) and MSC Bellissima (upper right) to Port of Keelung on May 23rd, 2025 ]]></description>
<PubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:19:00 GMT+08:00</PubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>With Taiwan’s Cruise Industry Profile Rising, TIPC Welcomes Nine-Day Visit of Representatives from Two Major Cruise Lines</title>
<link>https://cruise.twport.com.tw//News-Content.aspx?l=2&amp;nid=10606&amp;listid=2618&amp;p=1&amp;hid=0&amp;q=&amp;s_date=&amp;e_date=&amp;fromCnt=0</link>
<description><![CDATA[As part of ongoing efforts to boost Taiwan’s profile and attractiveness in the Asia-Pacific cruise market, Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC) maintains an open invitation for cruise ship companies to visit TIPC port facilities and investigate the country’s touristic allures. On November 1st, TIPC was honored to welcome a delegation from two Carnival Corporation cruise lines, Holland America Line and Seabourn, for a nine-day, eight-night FAM Trip. The TIPC-organized itinerary included stops at scenic and cultural attractions nationwide, visits to TIPC port facilities, introductions to passenger services and tourism resources, and discussions regarding port-of-call visits to the nation in the future. VIP guests in the delegation included Holland America Travel Product Manager Madeleine Ninness, Holland America Deployment &amp;amp; Itinerary Planning Manager Chris Bacon, and Seabourn Manager for Deployment Planning &amp;amp; Analysis Jeff Shieh. All three play key roles in their respective companies with regard to itinerary planning and implementation, market analysis, and in-port tourism planning and development, and are influential in new route development in Asia. TIPC notes that all major cruise ship companies have been stepping up planning and deployment activities in the East Asia market in recent years. Holland America and Seabourn are significant players in this industry with strong bases of customer support and products ranging from premium / luxury cruise packages to mainstream cruise offerings. The strong post-pandemic return of the cruise vacation market in East Asia has encouraged cruise ship companies to be bullish on continued growth in regional routes and itineraries, especially in the area of in-depth / unique experience opportunities at less-frequented ports-of-call. The visit schedule for the current delegation was arranged by TIPC with assistance from the national Tourism Administration. The visit itinerary, which began in Taipei City, included stops at TIPC’s main cruise / passenger ports at Tainan, Kaohsiung, the Penghu Archipelago, Taichung, Hualien and Keelung, where the delegates were introduced to passenger and cruise-ship handling facilities, passenger services, and nearby tourism highlights, providing a comprehensive overview of port capabilities and Taiwan’s strong touristic potential. One of the delegates shared that, “We are always looking on behalf of our passengers for ports offering diverse cultural experiences and local charm. This FAM Trip helps us better understand the diversity available here in Taiwan and the unique vibe that each port and its city have. It’s left quite an impression. With the strong level of safety and convenience you have here as well, we will be continuing to increase our calls at Taiwan ports going forward.” TIPC recognizes the robust demand from cruise Lines for new destinations and passenger experiences to enrich and expand their portfolio of Asian cruise itineraries. All TIPC ports have both the infrastructure and appeal necessary to support cruise industry growth needs. Port of Taichung is centrally located, the Ports of Kaohsiung and Keelung are both easily added stops, and the completion of Wharf 1 at Penghu (Magong) Port now makes the archipelago accessible even to large international cruise ships. TIPC President Chin-jung Wang recently remarked that, “helping cruise Lines really understand Taiwan’s port facilities and the potential for tourism through in-country delegations like this is a critical step in promoting our international port-of-call business. In the future, we will continue working with the Tourism Administration and local governments to promote inbound tourism and attract new business, increase international cruise ship calls at Taiwan ports, and build Taiwan into Asia’s rising star for in-depth, memorable cruise travel experiences.” The success of the 9-day visit by Holland America and Seabourn itinerary was achieved through a multi-party effort, with TIPC making the invitations and organizing the itinerary, the Tourism Administration assisting with site-visit arrangements, and city and county government administrations in Keelung, Kaohsiung, Hualien and Tainan providing tourism materials and introductions to area attractions. Efforts such as this highlight the commitment of Taiwan, from the highest to lowest levels of government, to expand the country’s connections to, and position within, the international cruise travel market. Provided by：Harbor Operation Management Dept., TIPC Contact Person：Ta-wei Wu, Manager Telephone No.：886-7-521900#3350 E-mail Address：T03159@twport.com.tw Image 1. Seabourn Manager for Deployment Planning &amp;amp; Analysis Jeff Shieh (3rd from left), Holland America Travel Product Manager Madeleine Ninness (5th from left), Holland America Deployment &amp;amp; Itinerary Planning Manager Chris Bacon (6th from left), and others tour Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal, welcomed by TIPC President Chin-jung Wang (4th from left) and representatives of Kaohsiung City Image 2. Holland America Travel Product Manager Madeleine Ninness (4th from left), Seabourn Manager for Deployment Planning &amp;amp; Analysis Jeff Shieh (5th from left), Holland America Deployment &amp;amp; Itinerary Planning Manager Chris Bacon (3rd from right), and other delegates visit an indigo dyeing experience workshop Image 3. Cruise delegation visiting an indigenous village in Hualien County during their TIPC-arranged itinerary ]]></description>
<PubDate>Wed, 17 Dec 2025 19:10:00 GMT+08:00</PubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>After Maiden Call on Kaohsiung, StarCruises’ Star Navigator Set to Launch an 11-Week Schedule of Homeport Voyages</title>
<link>https://cruise.twport.com.tw//News-Content.aspx?l=2&amp;nid=10605&amp;listid=2618&amp;p=1&amp;hid=0&amp;q=&amp;s_date=&amp;e_date=&amp;fromCnt=0</link>
<description><![CDATA[This year (2025), StarCruises has made a memorable splash by scheduling two maiden voyages to Port of Kaohsiung, with Star Voyager making its very first call at the port on June 30th (ending its 2025 schedule on October 30th) and Star Navigator scheduled to pay its maiden visit to the port on November 16th. Star Navigator’s arrival will mark the seventh maiden visit by a cruise ship to Port of Kaohsiung this year and, notably, the only one to maintain home port operations at Kaohsiung afterward. Star Navigator will run home port voyages out of Kaohsiung from November 16th through January 30th of next year (2026). Twice-weekly (3-day/2-night and 6-day/5-night) voyage itineraries are scheduled, with departures set for Fridays and Sundays. Taiwanese are the target market, with the northbound itinerary set to call at Naha, Miyako Island, and Ishigaki Island in Japan and southbound itineraries calling at either Laoag, Coron Island, and Puerto Princesa / Boracay in the Philippines or Hạ Long Bay and Da Nang in Vietnam. A total of 23 voyages (13 in 2025 and 10 in 2026) have been scheduled. Star Navigator weighs in at 75,000 gross tons, is 269m in length, has a beam width of 32m, and accommodates up to 1,856 passengers. Many of the crew are proficient in Mandarin, making for easy communication throughout the trip. Onboard facilities include multiple theme restaurants serving up the flavors of the world as well as familiar Taiwanese dishes. There are also plenty of entertainment facilities and activities as well as regular stage performances of Nanta, the popular Korean comedy and culinary extravaganza. Star Navigator passengers departing on either a Friday or Sunday between November 16th and January 30th are requested to abide by the arrival check-in time and procedures provided by their travel agency. Checked luggage drop-off and passenger check-in will be handled for all passengers at No. 5, Haibian Road, Lingya District, Kaohsiung City. Passengers (as well as friends / well-wishers) arriving by taxi, bus, etc. are asked to disembark at Port of Kaohsiung Wharf 18 (at the corner of Yongping and Haibian Roads). Those driving themselves to the port are requested to park in the terminal’s self-pay lot. Returning passengers (Friday or Sunday between November 21st and February 1st) who have arranged pickup (friends, taxis, buses, etc.) are also asked to make the connection at Wharf 18 (at the corner of Yongping and Haibian Roads) and to follow staff instructions to help reduce congestion and smooth the journey onward. To help streamline passenger flows and departure / arrival procedures, on Fridays and Sundays during this period (Nov. 16th - Feb. 1st) traffic control measures will be enforced in all outdoor areas adjacent to the ground floor of Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal. Also, cruise passenger vehicles will have priority access to the terminal’s underground lot, with drivers requested to have their passenger ticket / documentation ready to show at the entrance. Other visitors to the terminal during this period wanting to view the Star Navigator in port from the 3rd floor open-air Rhythm of the Sea Plaza are encouraged to make use of public transportation (e.g., the LRT system, city bus [Yellow-1 route]) and follow the directions posted on site. Provided by：Port Business Dept., Port of Kaohsiung, TIPC Contact Person：Selena Su, Manager Telephone No.：886-7-5219000#5911 E-mail Address：su17@twport.com.tw Image 1. StarCruises’ Star Navigator scheduled to make Port of Kaohsiung maiden call on November 16th (2025) for historic home port voyage (image provided by StarCruises) Image 2. Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal route organized for departing passengers scheduled for Friday and Sunday (Nov. 16 - Jan. 30) cruise voyages aboard the Star Navigator Image 3. Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal route organized for arriving passengers returning (Nov. 21 - Feb. 1) from Friday and Sunday cruise voyages aboard the Star Navigator ]]></description>
<PubDate>Wed, 17 Dec 2025 19:07:00 GMT+08:00</PubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Port of Keelung Set to Welcome Maiden Visit by Luxury Cruise Ship Silver Moon, Showing the Success of Cruise Market Profile Diversification Efforts</title>
<link>https://cruise.twport.com.tw//News-Content.aspx?l=2&amp;nid=10451&amp;listid=2618&amp;p=1&amp;hid=0&amp;q=&amp;s_date=&amp;e_date=&amp;fromCnt=0</link>
<description><![CDATA[Port of Keelung is preparing to welcome the maiden visit on October 19th (2025) of the luxury liner Silver Moon. Silver Moon is owned and operated by Silversea Cruises, the premier luxury cruise line in the Royal Caribbean Group, the world’s second-largest cruise vacation company. Arrangements have been made to expeditiously process the anticipated 500 European and American passengers on board so they may fully enjoy their time in Taiwan. The visit by Silver Moon follows the earlier maiden arrival this year in March of the Silver Nova, and marks the second visit in just half a year of a luxury Silversea Cruises liner to Keelung. Also, Silver Moon’s visit will mark the 18th maiden cruise ship call on Keelung Port this year. To mark the occasion, Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC) will welcome the Silver Moon into port with a water salute. Also, TIPC will exchange commemorative gifts with ship officers in port, with TIPC Senior Researcher Wei-chien Chang scheduled to board the Silver Moon and make the presentation on the company’s behalf. Passage on the Silver Moon’s current 15-night luxury cruise, which originated in Tokyo and will end in Singapore, is priced at a formidable NT$300,000/person. Even more heartening than the news that cruise passenger arrivals in Keelung this year are expected to close in on pre-pandemic numbers is news that cruise ship and passenger profiles have also more-or-less recovered to what they were in the years just prior to the pandemic. This year, for example, of the 40 cruise ships that will together make a total of 219 calls at Port of Keelung, 20 (50%) made their maiden visit to the port just this year - a new all-time record. This reflects the strongly bullish attitude of cruise ship companies toward the East Asia market, with most major lines already aggressively assigning additional new ships to the Asian theater. Prior to the pandemic, the ratio of cruise ships visiting Keelung was: contemporary (90.6%), premium (2.7%), luxury (5.7%), and expedition (1.0%). This year, the share of contemporary cruises is expected to decline to 78.08%, while premium, luxury, and expedition are all expected to increase, respectively, to 7.76%, 12.79%, and 1.37%. This trend underscores not only the increasing diversity in cruise ships calling at Keelung but also the growing number of elite / seasoned cruise passengers visiting Taiwan, giving broad-based, positive momentum to the market in support of sustainable, long-term growth. To continue attracting luxury cruise ships to Keelung, Port of Keelung officials are working closely with Keelung, Taipei, and New Taipei administrations to develop and support unique in-depth local tour activities. Furthermore, TIPC has been inviting cruise company representatives to Taiwan for special, customized local experience programs. Premier industry brands including Coral Expeditions Australia, Windstar Cruises, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, and Villa Vie have already joined these programs and continued discussions on expanding cooperation, underscoring the growing visibility and attractiveness of Taiwan within the overall international cruise vacation industry. Silver Moon Basic Specifications: Tonnage：40,700 GT Length：212.8m Width：26m Guest Capacity：596 Prior Call：Nagasaki Next Call：Hong Kong Provided by：Stevedoring and Warehousing Dept., Port of Keelung, TIPC Contact Person：Huai-hsuan Liu, Manager Telephone No.：02-2420-6421 E-mail Address：sharon06 @twport.com.tw Image 1. Silversea Cruises’ Silver Moon (photo credit: Silversea website) Image 2. Silversea Cruises’ Silver Nova made its maiden visit to Port of Keelung earlier this year (March 12th, 2025). Photo shows Port of Keelung Harbor Master Shih-hung Chen (right) and Silver Nova Captain Alessandro Zanello (left) exchanging commemorative gifts ]]></description>
<PubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2025 17:23:00 GMT+08:00</PubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>TIPC Hosts 8-Day FAM Visit by Delegation from Mitsui Ocean Cruises, Confirms Taiwan’s Inclusion in Company’s East Asia Cruise Route Plans</title>
<link>https://cruise.twport.com.tw//News-Content.aspx?l=2&amp;nid=10285&amp;listid=2618&amp;p=1&amp;hid=0&amp;q=&amp;s_date=&amp;e_date=&amp;fromCnt=0</link>
<description><![CDATA[As part of its ongoing campaign to raise the profile of Taiwan’s ports in the East Asia cruise vacation market, Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC) is actively expanding cooperation with international cruise operators worldwide, with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) subsidiary Mitsui Ocean Cruises an important target of current TIPC enticement efforts. While visiting senior Mitsui Ocean Cruises officials in early June 2024, TIPC President Chin-jung Wang formally invited the company to send a delegation to Taiwan to explore the country as a potential target for Mitsui Ocean Cruises expansion. After completing their recent visit, the Mitsui Ocean Cruises delegation announced their company would indeed be adding Taiwan ports to Mitsui cruise itineraries in the future to meet demand from their higher-end passenger segments for in-depth / culture travel experiences. In a show of the importance placed on the Taiwan market, the Mitsui Ocean Cruises delegation arranged for an 8-day/7-night FAM visit from June 22nd to 29th, 2025 to be arranged and hosted by TIPC. The delegation itinerary was tailored to highlight the touristic allure of Taiwan’s ports and their surrounding areas, Taiwan’s world-class service capabilities, depth and diversity of cultural and tourism attractions, and included visits to Keelung, the Penghu, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Taichung, and Suao. In the wake of this highly productive visit, TIPC looks forward to Mitsui Ocean Cruises adding Taiwan ports to MS Mitsui Ocean Fuji’s East Asia itinerary as well as to strengthening cruise line ties and communications between Taiwan and Japan further. The premier-class, medium-sized MS Mitsui Ocean Fuji, Mitsui Ocean Cruises’ new flagship cruise ship, weighs in at 32,000GT and can accommodate up to 450 passengers. Focused primarily on the domestic luxury-cruise market, the Ocean Fuji pampers passengers with iconic Japanese services and amenities and luxurious travel experiences. With Mitsui Ocean Cruises expecting to begin organizing East Asia cruise itineraries for the MS Mitsui Ocean Fuji later this year (2025), TIPC arranged the delegation to begin their exploratory visit in Keelung, followed by Penghu, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Taichung and, lastly, Suao. At each stop, in addition to exploring port facilities and surrounding transportation infrastructures, the delegation took time to investigate local cultural and tourism attractions and activities. During this visit, TIPC made a special effort to draw Mitsui Ocean Cruises’ attention to the significant tourism potential of its smaller ports, including Penghu, Anping (Tainan), and Suao (Yilan), underscoring the depth of Taiwan’s overall offering to the cruise tourism industry. TIPC noted that the vibrant recovery of Asia’s cruise vacation market has led the company to expand its focus beyond cruise ship homeport operations to pursue a more diversified growth strategy. The 8-day visit of the Mitsui Ocean Cruises delegation not only confirms the ability of Taiwan’s tourism and ports to attract international cruise brand interest and enthusiasm but also bodes well for TIPC ports attracting a growing number of visits by premium-class luxury cruise ships. TIPC expressed its particular appreciation to the city governments of Keelung, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung as well as Penghu and Yilan county governments for their assistance in making local itinerary / logistics arrangements and helping with promotion activities. Their efforts helped maximize the positive impact of this exploratory visit on Mitsui Ocean Cruises. Looking ahead, TIPC will continue to expand cooperation with international cruise lines with the goal of making ports in Taiwan increasingly regular stops on East Asia cruise routes. The head of the Mitsui Ocean Cruises delegation noted this experience had been an eye-opener for her and the other delegates. Their visit, she said, had highlighted not only the significant recent upgrades in port facilities and services but also the strong potential for tapping into Taiwan’s cultural and tourism attractions. After thanking TIPC for making such comprehensive preparations for their visit, the delegation announced Mitsui Ocean Cruises will plan Keelung, Kaohsiung, Suao, Taichung and Anping cruise calls in the future and would be promoting Taiwan as a major and alluring stop on East Asia cruise voyages as part of efforts to meet the in-depth, culture-focused vacation travel interests of high-end cruise passengers in Japan. Provided by：Harbor Operation Management Dept., TIPC Contact Person：Ta-wei Wu, Manager Telephone No.：07-521900#3350 E-mail Address：T03159@twport.com.tw Image 1. TIPC Business VP Chan-Jung Chang (5th from left) welcomes representatives of Mitsui Ocean Cruises Mai Sasaki (4th from left) and Marika Mizutani (5th from right) on an exploratory visit to Port of Kaohsiung. Kaohsiung City Government officials were invited to brief the visitors on Kaohsiung tourism opportunities Image 2. Mitsui Ocean Cruises delegation visiting Port of Kaohsiung’s “Great Harbor Bridge”, the first horizontally rotating bridge in Asia Image 3. Delegation getting a close-up look of Tainan’s coastal mangrove ecosystem during a pontoon boat ride through Sicao Green Tunnel Image 4. Delegation members try their hand at a local indigo dyeing experience, create one-of-a-kind works of indigo art Image 5. Delegates join a tea-harvesting experience activity in Yilan, getting a feel for local tea farming heritage and the natural beauty of northeastern Taiwan ]]></description>
<PubDate>Wed, 20 Aug 2025 16:54:00 GMT+08:00</PubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Ports of Kaohsiung and Nanaimo Announce Sister Port Relations, Deepening Bilateral Ties and Opening New Opportunities</title>
<link>https://cruise.twport.com.tw//News-Content.aspx?l=2&amp;nid=10258&amp;listid=2618&amp;p=1&amp;hid=0&amp;q=&amp;s_date=&amp;e_date=&amp;fromCnt=0</link>
<description><![CDATA[The four-day (8/10-13) 111th annual conference of the Association of Pacific Ports (APP) currently ongoing in the city of Nanaimo in British Columbia, Canada was the venue Port of Kaohsiung, TIPC and Nanaimo Port Authority chose to formally announce their new sister port relationship. This bilateral framework establishes a firm foundation for future cooperation in business development, port safety management, information / communication technology (ICT), and other areas. The ceremony held on August 11th was overseen by Deputy Minister of Transport Canada, Arun Thangaraj, Nanaimo Mayor, Leonard Krog and TECO Director General Angel Liu and officiated by TIPC President Chin-jung Wang and Nanaimo Port Authority President and CEO Ian Marr, with Port of Kaohsiung Harbor Master Tsu-chiang Chen and Nanaimo Port Authority Board Chair Donna Hais signing the official sister-port documentation. The signing ceremony was held during the conference, with all APP attendees adding to the celebratory atmosphere. Port of Nanaimo is an APP member is located in British Columbia, Canada within the second largest city on Vancouver Island. The port is surrounded by natural beauty and rugged coastal scenery and steeped in history. Founded in 1961, the port is centered around a natural deep-water harbor with terminal facilities including the Nanaimo Assembly Wharf, Duke Point Terminal, a dedicated commercial waterway, portside retail area, and fishing wharf. Major business areas include both containerized and bulk cargo handling and ferry and cruise services. Port of Nanaimo is a major transportation hub between Vancouver Island and mainland North America and an important goods distribution center for the region. To ease the increasing congestion faced at Vancouver, Canada’s largest commercial port, Nanaimo Port is expanding its infrastructure with Canadian federal government support to provide backup / buffer support services, making Nanaimo a key target of Canadian shipping infrastructure expansion. Vancouver established sister port relations with Port of Kaohsiung in 1993 and, this year, Port of Kaohsiung welcomes Port of Nanaimo as its 20th sister port. Beyond facilitating stronger cooperation between the two ports, the relationship is set to deepen ties and exchanges between the ports’ respective cities. The annual APP conference brings ports from around the globe together to strengthen mutual understanding and promote regular exchange. The theme of this year’s conference, “One Ocean - Shared Vision”, covers topics including inter-port relations, port-related technologies, and port-partner relationships. The 150 attendees from 16 port organizations, in addition to TIPC, are from Canada, the United States, Philippines and the Marshall Islands. At last year’s conference (2024), held from August 11th to 14th in Taiwan, TIPC was honored to establish formal sister port relations with the ports of Long Beach (USA) and Majuro (Marshall Islands). The new sister port relationship with Nanaimo, achieved through the concerted efforts of both TIPC and the Taiwan government, further raises the scope and depth of Taiwan ports’ interactions and exchanges with key commercial ports around the world and ensures the operations and vision of Taiwan’s international commercial ports continue to align closely with global shipping industry expectations and needs. Provided by：Secretariat, TIPC Contact Person：Zion Chou, Manager Telephone No.：07-5622425 E-mail Address：T02506@twport.com.tw Image 1. Nanaimo Port Authority Board Chair Donna Hais and TIPC President Chin-jung Wang exchange the presents. Image 2. Port of Nanaimo and Port of Kaohsiung officially become sister ports. (From left to right, Nanaimo Port Authority President and CEO Ian Marr, Nanaimo Port Authority Board Chair Donna Hais, Port of Kaohsiung Harbor Master Tsu-chiang Chen, and TIPC President Chin-jung Wang) Image 3. Group photo. (From left to right, Nanaimo Port Authority Board Chair Donna Hais, Port of Kaohsiung Harbor Master Tsu-chiang Chen, Nanaimo Port Authority President and CEO Ian Marr, TECO Director General Angel Liu, TIPC President Chin-jung Wang and Deputy Minister of Transport Canada, Arun Thangaraj) Image 4. Cruise ship berthed in Vancouver’s Nanaimo Harbour Image 5. Port of Nanaimo’s natural and scenic environs Image 6. Duke Point Terminal, Port of Nanaimo, Vancouver, Canada ]]></description>
<PubDate>Tue, 12 Aug 2025 16:47:00 GMT+08:00</PubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Rise in Exploratory Visits and Discussions Reveal Growing Cruise Industry Interest in Suao Port as a Port-of-Call Destination</title>
<link>https://cruise.twport.com.tw//News-Content.aspx?l=2&amp;nid=10239&amp;listid=2618&amp;p=1&amp;hid=0&amp;q=&amp;s_date=&amp;e_date=&amp;fromCnt=0</link>
<description><![CDATA[Looking to capitalize on the fast-paced growth and expansion of the global cruise industry, Port of Keelung, a subsidiary of the Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC), has been strategically developing and promoting its branch port of Suao as an enticing new destination for cruise travel. Suao Port has received a significant rise in interest from international cruise operators since the completion of the new Suao Port Passenger Terminal in June of last year (2024), and the many cruise ship and travel agency teams sent to investigate the touristic landscape of Yilan County and Suao Port’s facilities and nearby attractions in this past year underscore the area’s strong cruise tourism growth potential. In terms of numbers, Suao Port’s newly opened passenger terminal handled 1,238 international and 7,589 domestic (mostly Suao-Hualien ferry) passengers in 2024. Notably, the five international cruise ships carrying over 3,200 passengers anticipated this year (2025) will significantly more than double Suao Port’s international arrivals. To enhance port passenger services and improve visitor access to area tourism resources, Port of Keelung joined the Yilan County Government in organizing the 2025 “Get to Know Yilan” event in March, which was well attended by local tour operators and cruise ship agents. The event introduced attendees to Yilan County’s diverse tapestry of tourism offerings and opportunities, provided an in-depth introduction to Suao Port’s passenger terminal and amenities, oriented them to main transportation and tourism routes across the region, and discussed potential avenues for future cooperation. Port of Keelung officials are committed to exploring and expanding opportunities for cooperation with international cruise operators; planning and implementing in cooperation with local government authorities comprehensive tourist shuttle and information services for visiting cruise passengers; and building Yilan into an exciting new cruise vacation destination. The port encourages more visits from cruise operators and agents to discuss and realize together Suao’s true potential as a rising new cruise port-of-call destination. Looking to the future, TIPC hopes to entice a growing number of cruise line brands to integrate Suao into their voyage itineraries as a port-of-call. Expanding cruise-tourism opportunities will help further upgrade Yilan County’s tourism sector, plug Yilan into international tourism trends and flows, and economically benefit both the port and its surrounding communities. Provided by：Suao Port Branch Office, Port of Keelung, TIPC Contact Person：Chih-hong Tsao, Senior Director Telephone No.：03-9965121#201 E-mail Address：chtsao@twport.com.tw Image 1. Photo from June 30th, 2024 showing the Nippon Maru, owned and operated by Mitsui Ocean Cruises, during its maiden call at Suao Port in northeastern Taiwan Image 2. Visiting representatives from cruises company attend a presentation given inside Suao Port Passenger Terminal ]]></description>
<PubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2025 16:14:00 GMT+08:00</PubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>International Cruise Ship Calls at Port of Kaohsiung Set to Nearly Double in 2025, Revitalizing the City’s Cruise Tourism Economy</title>
<link>https://cruise.twport.com.tw//News-Content.aspx?l=2&amp;nid=10238&amp;listid=2618&amp;p=1&amp;hid=0&amp;q=&amp;s_date=&amp;e_date=&amp;fromCnt=0</link>
<description><![CDATA[2025 is shaping into a banner year for Port of Kaohsiung’s cruise vacation sector, with the 107 international cruise ship calls scheduled for this year set to nearly double last year’s total of 59 calls. The 71 international cruise ship calls scheduled for the second half of 2025, including 34 homeport voyages and 37 port-of-call visits, will bring over 100,000 passengers to the port, infusing new energy and opportunity into southwest Taiwan’s tourism sector and showing the fruits of a multiyear effort to build interest and excitement in Kaohsiung within the global cruise industry. Costa Cruises’ Costa Serena and Star Cruises’ Star Navigator are setting the pace for homeport cruises in 2025 with respective voyages northward to Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture (Naha City, Ishigaki Island, and Miyako Island) and southward to Vietnam (Da Nang and H? Long Bay) and the Philippines (Laoag City, Coron Island, Puerto Princesa, and Boracay). Moreover, the latter is an entirely new route for Kaohsiung-based homeport cruises, with the new destinations expanding the options for Taiwan cruise market. Looking ahead, Port of Kaohsiung will continue to flex its advantages and opportunities as the maritime gateway to and from sunny southern Taiwan. This diversification is expected to attract more cruise lines to utilize Kaohsiung Port for varied cruise deployments in the future. In the port-of-call column, the extended list of cruise ships scheduled to visit Port of Kaohsiung later this year include StarCruises’ Star Voyager, MOL’s Mitsui Ocean Fuji, Oceania Cruises’ Riviera, NCL’s Norwegian Spirit, Seabourn Cruise Line’s Seabourn Quest, NCL’s Norwegian Sun, and NYK Cruises’ Asuka 2. The Mitsui Ocean Fuji will make its maiden call at Kaohsiung on September 25th. The Asuka 2 will arrive in port on December 30th and remain at berth for several days to ring the New Year in for the very first time in the city. The number of Japan-based cruise voyages scheduled to call at Kaohsiung is slated to expand further next year (2026), evidencing the significant strategic effort the Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC) has invested in encouraging Japanese cruise liners to establish and increase their Taiwan calls. To help further fuel growth in Taiwan’s cruise business development, TIPC has actively promoted its ports and Taiwan as a destination. In April 2025, TIPC jointly attended Seatrade Cruise Global 2025 in Miami with the Taiwan Tourism Administration. In addition to one-on-one meetings with major players including Holland America, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, Carnival Corp., Seabourn Cruise Line, NCL, MSC Cruises, Windstar Cruises, the Royal Caribbean Group, and Disney Cruise Line, TIPC promoted its port facilities, in-country tourism attractions, and incentives for cruise ship operators to exhibition attendees. TIPC’s presence at the world’s largest gathering of cruise industry professionals attracted significant cruise ship operator attention and helped fuel overall interest in adding Taiwan to cruise itinerary development and expansion plans. Also, in May of this year, TIPC President Chin-jung Wang led his team to Japan, visiting Carnival Japan, Mitsui Ocean Lines (MOL) Cruises, and NYK Cruises; promoting Taiwan’s port facilities and resources and port-city tourism attractions; encouraging Japanese lines to include Kaohsiung on regular cruise routes; and strengthening bilateral ties and communications with Japan’s cruise market. Beyond these and other initiatives designed to raise international cruise line interest in and calls at Kaohsiung, the port continues to strengthen its physical and service passenger-handling infrastructures and raise cruise ship reception and service quality with the goal of creating a world-class operating environment for the cruise ship industry. Moreover, the port is working closely with local government agencies to market Kaohsiung&apos;&apos;s tourism, allowing visitors from near and far to experience the city’s rich cultural, historical, and culinary charms; maximizing Kaohsiung’s value to cruise line passengers and operators, and fueling economic growth and prosperity across the area. Provided by：Stevedoring &amp;amp; Warehousing Dept., Port of Kaohsiung, TIPC Contact Person：Pei-ling Lin, Supervisor Telephone No.：07-5219000 ext. 5910 E-mail Address：peiling@twport.com.tw Image 1. The Italian-themed Costa Serena is set to depart on multiple Kaohsiung-based homeport cruise voyages starting in October Image 2. The Star Navigator will launch its maiden homeport voyage from Kaohsiung on November 16th with stops in Japan, Vietnam, and the Philippines (photo credit: StarCruises) Image 3. The Mitsui Ocean Fuji will be making its maiden call at Port of Kaohsiung on September 25th (photo credit: Mitsui Ocean Lines) Image 4. The Asuka 2 will arrive at Port of Kaohsiung on December 30th and remain at berth through all of the port’s New Year’s festivities (photo credit: Tsuneo Nakamura [photographer] and NYK Cruises) ]]></description>
<PubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2025 14:22:00 GMT+08:00</PubDate>
</item>
</channel>
</rss>
