UAE heads for the high seas with new cruise terminal

Cruise tourism in the UAE will soon witness a spike as Sharjah readies to build a new leisure terminal to service the east coast of Khorfakkan.

The new terminal at Khorfakkan Port will be in line with the emirate’s goals to continue to develop its cruise tourism business, cited Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) in a media report with Al Khaleej.

Sharjah is expecting a successful 2014-2015 cruise season, with an estimated 36 international cruise ships bringing in more than 80,000 tourists to the country.

According to reports, the east coast port has already received 22 major cruise-liners with more than 66,000 tourists on board so far this season (October 2014 to April 2015).

The new terminal will increase Khorfakkan Port’s capacity to handle more cruise lines and tourism throughout the year.

The plans were announced by a spokesperson of Sharjah’s Department of Seaports and Customs via Sharjah Radio’s Direct Line show, which have now been approved by His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

Construction of the new terminal will begin this year.

The new cruise ship terminal is planned to be a fully-functioning terminal capable of receiving all visiting cruise ships, their passengers and crew, to include dedicated facilities for port customs, immigration authorities, police and visiting tourists.

Khorfakkan’s deep sea port has been welcoming luxury cruise-liners since the early 1980s.

There are a number of projects currently underway to expand tourism facilities on Sharjah’s east coast including The Chedi Khorfakkan, the area’s first large-scale luxury resort, and Kalba Eco-Tourism Resort, both being developed by Shurooq.

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