The Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC) once again joined the Taiwan Tourism Administration in sponsoring a national booth at Seatrade Cruise Global, held this year (2025) from April 8th to 11th in Miami, Florida. TIPC took the opportunity to highlight to cruise industry attendees the recent additions and upgrades to its subsidiary ports as well as Taiwan’s touristic allures with the goals of raising industry awareness and further growing Taiwan’s profile as a cruise destination.

TIPC paid calls on Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, Carnival Corp., Seabourn, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Windstar Cruises, Royal Caribbean Group, and Disney Cruise Line during the event to discuss port-call plans and service needs. In addition to updating these and other cruise ship operators on port-of-call opportunities in Taiwan, TIPC made a concerted effort to promote subsidiary ports with particularly strong future potential such as Taichung and Anping.

At the event, TIPC took the opportunity to introduce its subsidiary ports and ongoing infrastructure improvement programs as well as promote the many advantages of calling at TIPC ports, including port-fee waivers and streamlined immigration clearance procedures, that help reduce cruise ship operator costs and raise operator interest in including Taiwan on cruise itineraries.

Special efforts were made to showcase the roll-out of shore power systems at Keelung and Kaohsiung Ports, the opening of new passenger terminals, and other recent key improvements at TIPC ports. Key attributes of each port were also highlighted, including the dual-homeport-tailored facilities at Keelung and Kaohsiung, the newly opened wharves and passenger terminal at Suao Port, the wharf-extension project and new passenger service terminal at Magong Port, and the new wharf opened at Port of Hualien ideal for welcoming small expedition cruise ships These comprehensive presentations gave trade visitors a new appreciation of the diversity and significant growth potential within the TIPC’s port family.

According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), 31,500 individual cruise passengers were taken worldwide in 2023. While this number exceeds the pre-pandemic peak, annual cruise passage numbers in Asia, while making a comeback, remain short of their pre-pandemic highs. In terms of Taiwan, cruise market demand has seen a relatively quick rebound, with 290 ship calls and over 1 million passengers expected this year (2025). These numbers are only slightly short of pre-pandemic numbers and are backed by a steady upward growth trend.

In partnership with the Tourism Administration and local governments, TIPC will continue raising Taiwan’s profile within Asia’s cruise vacation market and increasing cruise ship call numbers using a multifaceted strategy that includes participation in major international trade fairs, one-on-one meetings with cruise ship operators, continued improvement of port infrastructures, offering incentives such as port-fee waivers, and bolstering communications and cooperative relationships with cruise lines worldwide.