The Kai Tak Cruise Terminal in Hong Kong has entered a new phase of its development with the launch of an open tender for the next long-term operator of the facility, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced.
The move aligns with the city’s ongoing tourism strategy under the Action Plan on Development of Cruise Tourism, which aims to reinforce Hong Kong’s role as a major cruise hub in Asia while increasing commercial utilisation of waterfront infrastructure.
Tenancy Details and Strategic Importance
The existing terminal operator’s agreement at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal (KTCT) is due to expire on May 31, 2028, prompting authorities to begin the tender process well in advance. Given that international cruise lines plan itineraries up to two years ahead, launching the tender now is intended to give the incoming operator time to prepare for scheduled ship calls beginning in mid-2028.
The successful bidder will secure a 10-year tenancy, starting around June 1, 2028, with an option for a five-year extension based on performance. The terminal’s deep-water berths can simultaneously accommodate two mega-size cruise ships of up to 220,000 gross tons, making it a key regional gateway for international deployments.
Expanded Responsibilities and KPIs
The upcoming tenancy expands the operator’s scope beyond traditional cruise handling. Under new arrangements:
- The operator will manage both cruise and public spaces, including the rooftop KTCT Park and podium gardens, which government officials see as opportunities for year-round public and commercial use.
- A set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will be introduced to ensure operational excellence, including targets for annual ship calls, the number of non-cruise events, visitors through those events, and occupancy rates of ancillary commercial spaces.
These changes reflect a broader intent to activate the terminal as a multi-purpose destination and not merely a transportation hub, especially during cruise off-peak periods.
Tender Requirements, Deadline and Submission Process
Interested parties must meet specific qualifications, including a minimum of three consecutive years of experience operating a cruise terminal and handling calls from cruise ships with gross tonnages of at least 160,000 tons within the past decade.
Tender Reference: TC 1/2025
Closing Date: 12:00 noon (Hong Kong time) on May 22, 2026
Tenderers must submit their bids to the Government Secretariat Tender Box located at:
Ground Floor, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong before the closing time. Late or misdirected submissions will not be accepted.
A pre-submission briefing for prospective tenderers is scheduled for January 20, 2026 (exact time and venue to be confirmed), and interested companies must register by January 7, 2026 via the registration form in the tender documents. A site walk may also be arranged upon written request made by January 21, 2026.
The detailed tender documents, including terms of tenancy and forms, are available for download from the Hong Kong Tourism Commission’s official tender portal. Links and the most current addendums can be found on the government’s tender notice page.
Official tender link: https://www.tourism.gov.hk/en/tender_notice.php
Competitive Evaluation and Expectations
The tender will be assessed using a “two-envelope approach”, with 70 percent weighting on non-price proposals including operational strategies, KPI plans, and commercial concepts, and 30 percent on price proposals, encouraging bidders to present balanced, high-quality bids rather than being driven purely by rent offers.
Officials have reiterated that the government is under no obligation to accept the highest bid, preserving the right to negotiate terms to ensure the terminal’s long-term competitiveness and alignment with Hong Kong’s cruise tourism blueprint.
What This Means for Asia’s Cruise Sector
The tender arrives at a time when Asia’s cruise market continues to rebound, with several international operators restoring full regional schedules and homeport itineraries. By reinforcing the KTCT’s operational model and performance accountability, Hong Kong aims to capture a larger share of cruise calls and enhance visitor experiences, a move that could put added competitive pressure on rival hubs such as Singapore and Shanghai.
