Liners based at Fremantle reflects growing interest in cruising

The growing number of cruise ship visits to Fremantle and regional ports is injecting tens of millions of dollars annually into the Western Australian economy.

Transport Minister Simon O'Brien said the seasonal basing of ships such as the Princess Cruises superliner 'Sun Princess' at Fremantle was contributing to the growth of this part of the State's tourism industry.

'Sun Princess' was at the Fremantle Passenger Terminal today at the start of a 46-night round voyage to South East Asia, India and South Africa. 

"The popularity of cruise holidays is increasing each year and WA ports will continue to play a significant role," Mr O'Brien said.

"Our port authorities are continuing to work with tourism bodies and other agencies to attract cruise liners through improvements to infrastructure; management and services; marketing; and promotion.

"Fremantle Ports is currently upgrading facilities at the Fremantle Passenger Terminal, with an overall spend of about $2million over two years.

"The increasing trend towards seasonal basing of cruise ships at Fremantle demonstrates the confidence of the cruise companies in our market and the ability of Fremantle Ports and other agencies to provide high standards of services.

"It is very pleasing to note we will have the 'Sun Princess' return next year for its biggest-ever season, with a record six cruises on offer."

Carnival Australia chief executive officer Ann Sherry, who represents Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises and Cunard in WA, said the State was one of the world's fastest-growing cruise markets.

"This year we have scheduled twice the number of cruises out of Fremantle compared to last season and next year we will double our WA capacity again," Ms Sherry said.

"Cruise ship activity is providing an economic boost for WA, with Sun Princess to sail from Fremantle for an extended five month season and P&O Cruises' 'Pacific Sun' based here during summer for the first time.

"Our decision to base two cruise ships in WA for extended seasons is driven by the popularity of cruising as well as our confidence in the local market."

P&O Cruises Australia has also announced a new expanded program of summer cruises from this State on 'Pacific Sun'.  The new season will feature eight cruises from Fremantle between November 2010 and February 2011.

Classic International Cruises' 'Athena' will also be seasonally basing at Fremantle again next year and Cunard's 'Queen Victoria' and the giant 'Queen Mary 2' will be making their inaugural visits.

Figures provided by Cruise Down Under, the peak industry body for cruising in Australia, showed WA's cruise industry generated expenditure of $41million, with an additional $19million in value add, in the last financial year.

There were 66 cruise ship visit days last year, compared to 46 in 2006-07. The total number of passengers and crew aboard the visiting ships was just under 93,000.