Carnival Corporation has started construction of a dedicated cruise terminal in Japan.
The facility is due to open at the port of Sasebo on Kyushu Island in the south-west of the country in summer 2020.
Carnival Corporation’s cruise line brands will be granted berthing preference under a 20-year agreement.
The terminal is being built for an undisclosed sum in partnership with the city of Sasebo and the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT),
Carnival Corporation is to construct and operate the new terminal, which will handle its existing and newest ships.
The company will continue to work with the Japanese government and MLIT to identify potential additional port development opportunities and future investments in the country.
Seven Carnival Corporation brands visit Japan, P&O Cruises, Aida Cruises, Costa Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn.
An estimated two million passenger movements are expected this year, with nearly 800 calls from 15 ships to over 50 ports in Japan.
Carnival Asia and Costa Group CEO Michael Thamm said: “This new terminal will complement our strong presence in the Asia-Pacific region and furthers our commitment to help facilitate the rising demand for cruise vacations in the region, enabling even more people from around the world to discover why Japan is such an extraordinary destination, one that many of our guests have long enjoyed.
“And as our company’s first cruise terminal investment in Japan, we are excited to mark the start of our long-term relationship.
“We are actively working on future investment opportunities to help further support growth and expand the Japanese cruise industry for years to come.”