Southeast Asia’s largest cruise jetty coming to Melaka

The Melaka International Cruise Terminal (MICT), scheduled for completion by 2026, is set to redefine Melaka’s tourism landscape.

With the vision of attracting an additional 15.8 million visitors annually, including 10 million foreign tourists, Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, Melaka Chief Minister, anticipates that the terminal will position Melaka as a key player in Southeast Asia’s cruise industry.

Melaka reimagines future with ambitious cruise terminal

The cooperation agreement for the management and operations of MICT, signed between MICTSB and Global Ports Holding PLC (GPH), marks a significant milestone.

Datuk Daing A Malek Daing A Rahaman, representing MICTSB, and Stephen Xuereb, chief operations executive of GPH, expressed their commitment to the project.

The RM682 million MICT project aims to transform Melaka’s tourism industry into a year-round economy, projecting an estimated RM9 billion in tourism expenditure.

Ab Rauf emphasises the strategic importance of MICT, stating, “The Melaka International Cruise Terminal is expected to be the largest cruise jetty in Southeast Asia, serving as a catalyst for the tourism sector.”

Positioned strategically, the terminal is envisioned as a crucial stopover for cruise ships navigating from Singapore to Phuket, Thailand.

RM682 mil project to generate tourism expenditure & jobs

Ab Rauf Yusoh outlines MICT’s operational capabilities, emphasizing its ability to accommodate two Oasis-class cruise ships, one Quantum-class cruise ship, and one voyage of the seas cruise ship simultaneously.

The potential economic impact is substantial, with the project expected to generate between 45,000 to 60,000 job opportunities.

“The completion of the terminal will position Melaka as a competitive economy, offering high-value employment opportunities,” stressed Ab Rauf Yusoh.

The terminal’s strategic location along the Melaka Strait, accommodating around 100,000 ships annually, positions Melaka to become the largest stopover destination in both Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

The terminal, built in phases, will culminate in a 900m cruise pier with state-of-the-art CIQ, retail, and transit clearance facilities, projecting to handle over 300,000 cruise visitors by 2020.

The Melaka International Cruise Terminal stands as a symbol of Melaka’s commitment to becoming a prominent player in the global cruise industry, offering economic prosperity and unparalleled tourism experiences.