Taiwan International Ports Corporation recently unveiled a refreshed terminal in Kaohsiung – a move that has significantly expanded the city’s cruise capacity and capabilities.
Previously the Penglai International Passenger Terminal, port authorities cited steady tourism and cruise demand for its decision to expand the area, by integrating two 1950s-era warehouse buildings to form a new integrated terminal.
The renovated facility, complemented by adjacent waterfront leisure and recreation facilities, opened in end March as the new Port of Kaohsiung Penglai International Cruise Terminal (PICT).
Keeping local residents in mind, PICT has retail, F&B and culture-creative shops located on the terminal’s second and third floors.
For travellers, the renovated PICT adds nearly 900sqm of arrival and departure processing space, some 700sqm of new baggage claim space, as well as 14 manned immigration counters and four biometric e-Gates.
As a comparison, the nearby Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal (KPCT) currently operates 22 manned immigration counters and four biometric e-Gates.
PICT inaugurated operations when Holland-America Line’s MS Westerdam visited on 8 March, carrying over 1,900 passengers.
With both cruise terminals now fully operational, Port of Kaohsiung can handle up to four international cruise ships at a time.
The PICT is located in the port’s Penglai Commercial District, a short walk from Kaohsiung Port Warehouse No. 2 (KW2).
From both ports, the city is easily reached via Kaohsiung’s light rail system – accessed from PICT at Dayi Pier-2 station and from KPCT at cruise terminal station.
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