Hong Kong, with its strategic location and deep-water port, has long served as a pivotal maritime hub in the region and now a tender has become available to operate and manage the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal (KTCT) starting from June 2028.
Guided by the Action Plan on Development of Cruise Tourism (Action Plan) published by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (HKSAR Government) in 2024, the city’s vision is to reinforce itself as Asia’s hub for international cruise.
Central to this vision is the KTCT, a world-class piece of infrastructure specifically designed to simultaneously berth two mega-sized cruise ships with a gross tonnage of up to 220,000 tons each.
Situated in the heart of the iconic Victoria Harbour, the KTCT not only enhances Hong Kong’s capability in receiving cruise ships but enables the city to capture growing demand from local and overseas source markets.
Capitalising on robust hardware and software, Hong Kong’s cruise tourism is thriving, with a year-on-year increase of number of ship calls by 26 percent in 2025 at near 190, involving 22 different international cruise lines.
This strong momentum is poised to continue, with further growth anticipated in 2026.
Moreover, the Government has been implementing a number of measures as laid out in the Action Plan to enhance visitor experiences in Hong Kong.
For instance, customs, immigration and quarantine procedures have been streamlined and “clearance on board” arrangements have been made available.
The multi-faceted tourism offerings and programmes with local and international characteristics in Hong Kong also allowed the industry to develop new and distinctive shore excursion programs so as to attract cruise visitors and enhance Hong Kong’s appeal.
To elevate the function of the KTCT as a cruise terminal for all and maximise its potential, the KTCT is also used for conventions, exhibitions and other activities during non-peak seasons.
The panoramic harbour view from the rooftop park and apron area of the KTCT poses opportunities to the hosting of diversified events and activities.
Tender Invited for Operation and Management
As the contract with the current terminal operator is set to expire in May 2028, the HKSAR Government has officially launched an open tender for the tenancy for operating and managing the KTCT.
The successful bidder will be awarded a 10-year contract, which may be extended for five more years subject to the operator’s satisfactory performance.
Operators possessing the relevant experience and expertise are welcome to participate in the tender exercise.
The tender will close on May 22, 2026.
Tender-related information is available on the dedicated website: https://www.tourism.gov.hk/en/tender_notice.php.
