MELAKA, Nov 14 (Bernama) -- Melaka International Cruise Terminal (MICT), one of the main components in the development of the Melaka Gateway project in Pulau Melaka here is expected to begin operations in the third quarter (Q3) of 2026.
Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said MICT, which is equipped with an ‘L’-shaped jetty, is capable of accommodating the world's largest cruise ship, such as the Oasis of the Seas, with a maximum capacity of 8,880 passengers and crew, at the outer dock.
"For now, the progress of the jetty’s construction has achieved 50 per cent completion in terms of infrastructure, and I am satisfied with the project’s progress," he told reporters here today.
"I hope in the third quarter of 2026, this jetty can be operational and we expect, as outlined in the Melakaku Maju Jaya Strategic Plan 2035, this jetty will become one of the sources of economic injection for the state."
Ab Rauf said this after visiting the MICT Project site and Melaka Gateway Project Gallery by KAJ Development Sdn Bhd, which was also attended by Public Works, Infrastructure, Public Amenities and Transport Committee chairman Datuk Hameed Mytheen Kunju Basheer.
Commenting further, he said the jetty’s inner dock is capable of accommodating a ship like Freedom of the Seas, with a maximum capacity of 5,875 passengers and crew.
He said initially, the L-shaped jetty could accommodate four cruise ships at a time, but if there is demand or need, the design of the jetty will be extended to a 'T' shape to allow more cruise ships to dock at one time.
He also said that the MICT Project will be the largest cruise jetty in Southeast Asia, thus playing an important role in the maritime transport industry in Melaka.
"I also hope that this project will have the potential to increase the influx of tourists from around the world who arrive via luxury cruise ships at the terminal, while also strengthening Melaka's position as a premier international tourist destination.
"As we already know, so far Genting Dream cruise has agreed to dock in Melaka every Monday, thus showing that the cruise terminal industry has great potential for Melaka in the future,” he added,
-- BERNAMA