The HKSAR?government will invite tenders to design and build the cruise terminal at the site of the old airport in the fourth quarter of this year.

If everything works out as planned, the first berth will become operational in February 2012 while the second berth will be ready for use between 2009 and 2015.

The government announced the plan of building a cruise terminal in November of 2006.

After inputting views from the travel industry and international cruiser companies, it has worked out several requirements, Tourism Commissioner Au King-chi said.

The terminal should be flexible enough to accommodate cruisers of various types and sizes. Easy and convenient ancillary facilities including transport services should be provided.

One-stop services should be provided to the passengers to make them feel their holidays have begun as soon as they board the cruises. The terminal should also be built as a landmark building to highlight Hong Kong's status as an international metropolis.

At present, the government is drafting the tender document, land lease and service agreement documents and the outlying zone plan. When the documents are ready by the end of October, invitation to open tenders will be called.

The successful bidder will be required to, at its own cost, form the site, as well as design, build, operate and maintain the terminal for a 50-year period, Au revealed.

Apart from apron facilities, supporting facilities and a shopping mall will also be built. The winning bidder is entitled to use the relevant site by way of a land lease but the government will not take any share from profits of the terminal operation.

As for requirements for the cruise companies, the Tourism Commission has set a reasonable threshold to avoid too many companies from bidding.

Among other things, bidders must have a minimum of three years experience in operating cruise terminals with a minimum annual throughput of 200,000 at home ports passengers, she said.

(China Daily HK Edition?August 10, 2007)