By KHT Staff
KAOHSIUNG — The 172,000-ton cruise ship MSC Bellissima made its first call at Port of Kaohsiung on Sunday, marking the largest cruise vessel ever to visit southern Taiwan’s main port.
The ship, operated by MSC Cruises, measures 315 meters in length and 43 meters in width and can carry almost 5,700 passengers. It previously began operations in Taiwan in May 2023 from the Port of Keelung.
According to the Taiwan International Ports Corporation, the ship initially operated with Keelung and Okinawa as dual homeports. At the same time, cruise operators evaluated the feasibility of establishing Kaohsiung as a base for regional itineraries. After assessments confirmed the market potential, two Okinawa voyages departing from Kaohsiung were scheduled this year.
TIPC officials stated that Kaohsiung’s main navigation channel requires extended periods of high-precision maneuvering. Pilots must strictly control vessel speed and wake to avoid impacting container and bulk cargo terminals. Additionally, the ship’s large surface area makes it highly susceptible to wind pressure and drift during low-speed maneuvers.
To ensure safety, TIPC commissioned National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology (NKUST, 高雄科技大學) to conduct rigorous ship-handling simulations throughout 2023. These tests, which involved experts from MSC Cruises’ UK Operations Center and local Kaohsiung pilots, utilized real-time data to establish safety protocols for vessels in the 170,000 to 200,000-ton class.
The MSC Bellissima is scheduled to operate two homeport voyages from Kaohsiung to Okinawa (沖繩) this year. Port authorities noted that the successful simulation and docking of the vessel will serve as a technical benchmark for other international cruise lines evaluating Kaohsiung as a potential port of call.
Source: Liberty Times
