Following a $68 million government investment in Brazilian ports, Inchcape Shipping Services is forecasting significant growth in cruise ship port calls to the region.
The investment by The Ports Secretariat in Brazil includes $10 million in passenger terminals at Salvador, $42 million at Fortaleza and $16 million in Natal. The new infrastructure will increase opportunities for cruise ships to call at additional ports and the number of port calls handled by ISS.
Local cruise companies in the region are experiencing increased growth. This is due to a rise in demand from Brazilians themselves as well as an increase in the number of luxury long haul travellers, destined for further growth when Brazil hosts the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016.
Natal port is currently unsuitable for disembarking passengers resulting in migration to alternative ports such as Maceio. The new passenger terminal at Natal will provide a further cruise destination and help in the development of new cruise packages.
Says Francisco Villagran, Regional Operations Manager for South America: “This large investment by The Port Secretariat in Brazil demonstrates its confidence in the country’s cruise market and the country’s ever increasing popularity as a tourist destination.
“We are looking forward to maximizing the opportunities offered by the new passenger terminals and continuing to provide our excellent port calls service.”