Palatial cruise ships from Italy, Japan, China and the US will all gather in Yeosu next year. Accordingly, for the first time in Korea, such a large number of cruise vessels come into the nation in a short period of time. These cruise ships will enter through an 80,000-ton cruise ship berth within the Expo Site over the duration of Yeosu Expo (May 12 ? Aug. 12, 2012). The total number of passengers who will arrive in those vessels is expected to be around 12,000.

The Organizing Committee for Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea announced on November 23 that it has initially allocated berths for the cruise ships which will enter the port during the Expo. Over a period of 22 days, six cruise ships from five cruise operators in four countries ? Italy, Japan, China and the US ? will make nine voyages to Yeosu Expo.

Japan will make the most frequent voyages ? four times in total, two each by Japan Cruise and MOL, followed by three voyages of Italy’s Costa Crociere, one from US’s Royal Caribbean Cruise, and one from China’s Capital Dragon Global.

The number of cruise operators is expected to increase. The Organizing Committee noted that it is currently discussing with several operators to attract more cruise ships, including a gigantic cruise ship from Royal Caribbean Cruise and one from Harmony Cruise, the first Korean cruise operator. Afterwards, the Organizing Committee is going to fix the second allocation of berths and schedules.

Deputy Director General Younghyun Kim for Transportation and Operation of the Organizing Committee said, “Given that the Expo is held for 93 days, we are still able to arrange more berths.” He then added, “We will continue our marketing and promotion activities, so that more world-renowned cruises may enter our port.”

The Organizing Committee hopes that the Immigration Law revision, which will allow foreign visitors aboard cruises to stay in Korea without visa for short stays, is passed in the National Assembly in December and put into force before the opening of the Expo, which will significantly increase the number of foreign visitors from countries such as China.

Currently, the Organizing Committee has secured one 80,000-ton cruise ship berth and another 30,000-ton seaside hotel berth within the Expo site, and, if there is more demand, the Committee is planning to secure additional berths such as the Joongma Berth and Phase 3-2 container berth at the Port of Gwangyang to accommodate more visitors.

Arrival Schedules of the Cruises

- Japan Cruise (Pacific Venus/Japan)
· Tonnage (Capacity) : 26,594 (680)
· Berth Allocation (Arriving Date) - 1st Voyage : May 14
· Berth Allocation (Arriving Date) - 2nd Voyage : Jul. 21
· Berth Allocation (Arriving Date) - 3rd Voyage : -

- MOL (FUJI MARU/Japan)
· Tonnage (Capacity) : 23,235 (400)
· Berth Allocation (Arriving Date) - 1st Voyage : May 25
· Berth Allocation (Arriving Date) - 2nd Voyage : -
· Berth Allocation (Arriving Date) - 3rd Voyage : -

- MOL (NIPPON MARU/Japan)
· Tonnage (Capacity) : 22,472 (400)
· Berth Allocation (Arriving Date) - 1st Voyage : Jul.16

- Royal Caribbean Cruise (Legend of the Seas/America)
· Tonnage (Capacity) : 69,130 (2,066)
· Berth Allocation (Arriving Date) - 1st Voyage : May 16

- Costa Crociere (Costa Victoria/Italia)
· Tonnage (Capacity) : 75,166 (2,394)
· Berth Allocation (Arriving Date) - 1st Voyage : Jun. 9
· Berth Allocation (Arriving Date) - 2nd Voyage : Jul. 4
· Berth Allocation (Arriving Date) - 3rd Voyage : Aug. 2

- Capital Dragon Global (Oriental Dragon/China)
· Tonnage (Capacity) : 18,455 (500)
· Berth Allocation (Arriving Date) - 1st Voyage : May 10
· Berth Allocation (Arriving Date) - 2nd Voyage : -
· Berth Allocation (Arriving Date) - 3rd Voyage : May 20

▽ Cruise Ship Berth at the Expo Site

▽ International Passenger Terminal

▽ Fujimaru, a Japanese Cruise Ship

▽ Note 1 - Cruise Ship Berth within the Expo Site

▽ Note 2 - Information on Cruise Ships

▽ Victoria, signed an MOU with the Organizing Committee
Owned by Costa Cruise
- Length: 253 m, Width: 32 m, Tonnage: 750,000 GT, Capacity: 2,394 (including the crew).

▽ Oasis of the Seas, the World’s Largest Cruise Ship
Owned by the world’s largest operator, Royal Caribbean and built by STX Group,
- Length: 360 m, Width: 47 m, Tonnage: 220,000GT, 2,700 Cabin Rooms, Capacity: 9,400 (including the crews)