Pusan builds cruiseship income, 17 billion won in first year

Since the cruiseship "Superstar Torrus" started to call at Dadaepo Harbor in Pusan last March, it has earned Pusan 17 billion won in just under a year.

Pusan regional maritime affiars and fisheries reported on Jan. 9th that the "Superstar Torrus", which entered Pusan on March 12th last year, and the "Superstar Arris", which began calling in late November, recorded a total of 75 callings with 18 callings at Pusan, and made 17.85 billion won from sightseeing and port facility usage fees.

The Superstar Torrus handled 33,409 passengers. On average, 445 passengers visited Pusan per sailing and spent 146.85 million won on tourism. The Superstar Arris carried a total of total 4,803 passengers in the two months since November. Per sailing, the cruise vessel transported 267 passengers, averaging 88.11 million won on sightseeing per sailing.

For example, sailing expenses such as vessel arrival fees and berthing fees cost the Superstar Torrus 4.14 million and the Superstar Arris 6.04 million won per calling. So the Superstar Torrus spent 15.15 billion won in total and the Superstar Arris 2.7 billion. An official from the Pusan Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries said that cruise vessels have shown themselves to be more efficient than older passenger ferries. To boost cruiseship business however, a dedicated terminal and tourist facilities have to be built in a hurry.