SCC and partners launch Cruise 360 to support cruise lines

Singapore, 19 September 2011 – Singapore Cruise Centre Pte Ltd (SCC) has teamed up with partners with specialist maritime expertise to launch Cruise 360, a coordinated, cost-effective platform to supply and support cruise ships that berth in Singapore.
 
Cruise 360 will ensure that the resources and services that cruise lines require, ranging from crew personnel, food and beverage and marine chandelling, shore excursions, bunkering, ship repair and maintenance, are provided for in a structured and seamless manner. SCC’s Cruise 360 partners comprise an initial group of five companies reputed for best-in-class standards and practices. They are HMS, Intercruises, Magsaysay, Shell and Sembawang Shipyard.

SCC’s CEO, Christina Siaw, said: “We are very excited about Cruise 360 which aggregates best-in-class services so that international and regional cruise lines that call at our terminal at HarbourFront can make quick and easy procurement, saving time and effort especially for those new to Singapore.
“The idea has been in the works for a while and we believe the time has come for us to make it work for the advancement of common goals, most notably, our shared vision of promoting Singapore as the cruise hub of Asia.”

Ms Siaw said that SCC partnered those whom it has worked with for many years and which have received strong customer endorsements for high standards of excellence.  Under Cruise 360, they are committed to offering enhanced services to the cruise lines.

Ms Siaw added that Cruise 360 partnership is non-exclusive and SCC is open to proposals from qualified service providers that bring unique solutions and meet best-in-class criteria.

Cruise 360 vendors and partners are well established maritime specialists that provide services for cruise ships including crew, catering supplies, repair, refurbishment and upgrading, provisioning, bunkering, port and ground handling, wholesale distribution and warehousing.
    
Intercruises is an experienced global business offering first class ground handling and port agency services to the ocean and river cruise industry, delivering port agency, full turnaround, shore excursions and hotel reservation services to cruise lines worldwide. Intercruises operates in over 50 countries, encompassing over 300 ports. In Asia, it delivers services in over 30 ports, spread across 13 countries.

Magsaysay is a leading provider of quality crew and crewing services for the world's maritime, cruise and offshore industries.

HMS provides ships with catering supplies, repairs, engineering and coatings, logistics solutions (handling, forwarding, storage and distribution including owners’ goods), and other value-added services on demand. HMS have ISO 9001 and 14001, OHSAS 18001 certification in Singapore.

Sembawang Shipyard, a subsidiary of Sembcorp Marine, is Asia’s premier shipyard for cruise ships refits, refurbishment and conversion.  It has built up extensive technical, logistics planning and project management expertise, critical in ensuring high quality work to meet the requirements of the cruise liners.  Its major customers include Star Cruise, Hapag Lloyd, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Silverseas Cruises and has a long-term refit agreement with Carnival Corporation & Plc for its portfolio of leading brands such as Costa Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Carnival UK and Carnival Australia.

Shell Marine Products offers bunkering services for cruise ships, as well as an extensive range of Shell marine lubrications, and technical support services to the marine industry.     
     
The Cruise 360 partners will each offer value added benefits only available through the Cruise 360 programme. For example, HMS will waive the usual minimum two-day advance order and offer cruise lines same-day order and delivery of food and beverages.

Intercruises will set up “concierge-style” counter services at the pier for the cruise lines, offer onboard lectures from experienced local guides and tailor made hands on tour experiences, with mementos of each tour.

Magsaysay will introduce new facilities and crew handling processes. If a cruise operator wishes, their crew will be allowed to embark and disembark at their convenience, without the need for an accompanying personnel manager or purser to come ashore.
 
Sembawang Shipyard will be able to respond to the maintenance / repair needs of the cruise lines berthed at SCC’s terminals for both routine and emergency repairs. The shipyard is also able to carry out on-voyage repairs to meet the cruise ships tight schedule.

Shell, on the other hand, will provide access to scientific and engineering consultation expertise through technical services like Shell Rapid Lubricants Analysis service, designed to give ship managers and operators vital information and advice on the condition of their lubricants and machinery – quickly, efficiently and reliably.

The Cruise 360 initiative is a first for Singapore and comes at a time when the cruise industry in Asia is on the cusp of a boom with regional countries adding on new berth capacity to meet rising demand. Singapore is set to double its berth capacity next year when the new ICT terminal is opened.

SCC anticipates a significant number of maiden calls will be made in the next year and believe that these cruise lines will enjoy a smooth passage in and out of its terminal through Cruise 360.