Port of Yokohama, Japan, is due to welcome a total of 190 cruise ships this year, which is a 25% increase from 2018.
The port, which already operates Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal, is planning to open two new cruise piers in 2019 - Daikoku pier in April and Shinko pier in November. This will enable the Yokohama port to accommodate 7 ships at the same time and make the cruise port Japan's largest cruise facility.
Daikoku is primarily expected to handle freight vessels but will also be used for larger cruise liners, such as Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth. The 5-story Shinko Pier, also popular as Yokohama Pier 9, will be exclusively dedicated to cruise ships. The first floor of the 30,290 m2 terminal building will feature immigration, customs, and quarantine facilities along with convenience stores, entertainment facilities, a variety of food and beverage outlets.
Shinko Pier will become home to a new 5-star hotel operated by Yokohama Grand Intercontinental. Cruisers will be able to check-in for their voyage at the hotel and then be escorted onboard the ship. They will also be able to travel between the hotel and the airport via the airport limousine service.
The land adjacent to the Shinko pier terminal will be transformed into Hammerhead Park and Promenade.
Carnival Corporation benefits from preferential berthing rights at Shinko and is due to using it for more than 80 ships per year. Other cruise companies have also scheduled one or two visits, including Azamara, MSC, NCL-Norwegian, RCI-Royal Caribbean and Windstar. Around 400,000 cruisers are expected to pass through the terminal per year.
Other highlights of the 2019 cruise season include a 4-ship call on April 27, when Azamara Quest, MSC Splendida, Norwegian Jewel, and Diamond Princess bring a total of 10,000 passengers to Yokohama.