Hong Kong Opens Tender for Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Operator

Thanks to its strategic position and deep-water harbor, Hong Kong has long been a key maritime center in the region. Building on this role, a new tender has been issued to operate and manage the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal (KTCT) from June 2028 onward.

The move aligns with the Action Plan on Development of Cruise Tourism, released by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China in 2024, which sets out the city’s goal of strengthening its position as Asia’s leading international cruise hub.

At the core of this strategy is KTCT, a purpose-built, world-class facility designed to berth two mega cruise ships at the same time, each with a gross tonnage of up to 220,000 tons.

Located within the iconic Victoria Harbour, the terminal significantly boosts Hong Kong’s capacity to welcome cruise vessels while enabling the city to tap into rising demand from both local and international source markets.

Supported by strong infrastructure and digital systems, Hong Kong’s cruise sector has recorded solid growth. In 2025, the number of cruise ship calls rose by 26 percent year on year to nearly 190, involving 22 international cruise brands.

This upward trend is expected to continue, with additional growth forecast for 2026.

In parallel, the government has rolled out a range of initiatives under the Action Plan aimed at improving the overall visitor experience. These include simplified customs, immigration, and quarantine processes, as well as the introduction of “clearance on board” arrangements.

Hong Kong’s diverse tourism offerings, combining local culture with international appeal, have also allowed the cruise industry to develop new and distinctive shore excursion programs, helping attract cruise travelers and further enhance the city’s attractiveness as a destination.