Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Duncan Gay today officially opened the new and improved Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT) in time for this year’s cruise season.
Minister Gay said the upgrade would give international visitors and local travellers the best possible experience in Sydney.
“This is one of greatest destinations in the world and it’s no surprise the demand to visit Sydney keeps growing,” Mr Gay said.
“OPT is Australia’s premier cruise gateway and the new facility meets ship turnaround time needs better than ever before.
“Faster turnaround means more cruise liners can come into the Harbour on any one day – potentially doubling the amount of cruises offered to tourists wanting to visit one of the best harbours in the world.
“This $78 million package of work includes a wharf extension, which added 60 metres of new wharf deck and a new dolphin, allowing us to better meet the needs of larger ships.
“Other new and improved features include new arrival and departure areas including a mezzanine check in level, meaning the old slow and clunky passenger processing is a thing of the past.
“The NSW Government is committed to keeping Sydney open, available and accessible to the growing number of ships wanting to come here.
“This cruising season, Sydney is expecting nearly 300 cruise ships and more than 1.2 million passengers.
“We’ve built for the cruise boom and we’re sending the message to industry: NSW is ready and open for even more cruise ship business.”
The cruise industry is worth an estimated $1.87 billion to the NSW economy every year.
SOURCE NSW Government