Kaohsiung (Taiwan China)

Port Kaohsiung is the largest seaport in Taiwan. It is located on the island's southwestern coast, facing Taiwan Strait. The city is ranked Taiwan's second largest by population (urban over 2,54 million, metro around 2,8 million) - after New Taipei City (around 8,5 million).

Other cruise port cities in Taiwan include Keelung (Taipei), Taichung, Hualien, Anping, as well as Magong/Penghu.

Since its establishment by the Chinese in the 17th century, Kaohsiung has grown into a major transportation, economic, manufacturing, industrial and shipbuilding center. Among the main city landmarks are Tuntex Sky Tower, Kaohsiung Arena, Kaohsiung Harbor, ferris wheel. Newly developed, the city is also popular among tourists for its huge number of night markets, shopping streets, new leisure parks (Pier-2 Art Center, E-DA Theme Park).

Natural attractions include Shoushan (Monkey Mountain), Love River, Qijin, Xiziwan Bay, Dapingding Tropical Botanical Garden, Yushan National Park. Among the historical attractions are the Old City of Zuoying, the former British Consulate (Takao), sugar and crop factories (built during Taiwan's occupation by Japan, 1895-1945).

Port Kaohsiung

Port Kaohsiung (locode TWKHH) has Taiwan's biggest harbour but is not officially part of the city.

Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit (city's subway) was inaugurated in 2008. Here were hosted World Games 2009 (sports not included in World Olympics).

In December 2017, the company Van Oord (based in Rotterdam Holland, specializing in dredging, marine engineering, and offshore energy projects) completed the Port Kaohsiung expansion. The project (by Taiwan International Ports Corporation) awarded the contract to the Dutch company in 2015. The works were completed 8 months ahead of schedule, creating a total of 250 hectares (2,5 km2 / 1 ml2) of new land for the new Intercontinental Container Center. The new area will accommodate many containership cargo terminals and docking wharves, some of which are able to handle the world's largest container ships (up to 22,000 TEUs / containers).

Being Taiwan's largest port, Kaohsiung handles around 150 vessels daily. The port's container shipping annual volume is over 10 million TEUs (containers).

In 2017 (March 21 through May 30), Star Cruises (GHK brand) homeported in Kaohsiung the SuperStar Virgo ship. The 5-night / 6-day roundtrip itinerary (themed "Golden Triangle Journey") included Manila (Philippines), Laoag (Philippines) and Hong Kong (China). The itinerary allowed Taiwanese tourists to embark/disembark in Hong Kong, Manila or Kaohsiung. Star Cruises' early booking program offered pricing from TWD 18800/USD 620  (per person with double occupancy) and standard pricing TWD 31333/USD 1040 pp. Third and fourth passengers received additional 50% discount.

In the pre-COVID 2019, Kaohsiung Port handled 29 international cruise ship calls.

Kaohsiung cruise terminal