Cruise terminal

Cruising has become one of the fastest growing segments of the global tourism industry in recent years, but the Pacific Islands only accounts for a small fraction. However, strong growth is expected to in the coming years.

Right on PNG’s doorstep, Australia has quickly become the world’s fourth largest cruise market, accounting for 4.5% of global traffic and with volume increasing 20% annually since 2004 to over 1 million passengers in 2014. The most popular cruise route from Australia is the South Pacific, which includes PNG, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, American Samoa and Cook Islands.

Few cruise liners currently visit Port Moresby due to a lack of facilities, despite it being the main entry point to PNG and the nation’s capital. Currently, cruise liners in Port Moresby dock at wharf facilities. This is a commercial processing location and not idea for receiving cruise passengers. The development of an international standard cruise terminal in Port Moresby, along with other supporting tourism infrastructure, is expected to have a substantial impact on the number of visiting cruise ships.

Efforts are underway to incorporate an international-standard cruise liner and passenger processing terminal at Paga Hill Estate. With the planned tourism infrastructure at Paga Hill Estate, a cruise terminal at the site would give passing cruise ships every reason to stop, providing Port Moresby with the best possible chance to capitalise on this growing market.