By KHT Staff. Image shows the Holland America Line cruise ship Westerdam docked at the Penglai International Cruise Terminal. (Photo courtesy of Taiwan International Ports Corporation)
KAOHSIUNG — Two historic port warehouses at the Port of Kaohsiung (高雄港) have been renovated and expanded as part of an upgrade to the Penglai International Cruise Terminal (蓬萊國際旅運中心), adding nearly 500 ping of new passenger processing space.
According to Taiwan International Ports Corporation (台灣港務公司), the project converted two 1950s-era cargo warehouses — Warehouse 9-2 (棧9-2庫) and Warehouse 8-2 (棧8-2庫) — into expanded facilities for cruise ship arrivals and departures.
The Penglai terminal, located next to Great Harbor Bridge (大港橋) and the Pier-2 Art Center (駁二藝術特區), first opened in October 2014. Taiwan International Ports Corporation later upgraded the facility by removing walls, reinforcing the structure, and updating electrical and mechanical systems.
The expansion added roughly 270 ping of immigration and customs processing space and 215 ping for baggage claim, along with new passenger corridors and covered walkways connecting the two buildings. The facility now includes 14 manual inspection counters and four automated clearance systems to improve passenger flow.
With the upgrade, Kaohsiung now operates two cruise passenger terminals facing Love River Bay (愛河灣). The Penglai facility works alongside the newer Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal (高雄港旅運中心) on Piers 19 and 20.
Port officials say the two terminals can together accommodate up to four large cruise ships at the same time, with both locations connected to the Kaohsiung Light Rail at nearby stations, allowing cruise passengers to travel directly into the city.
