TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's maritime gateway to the world is expanding its horizons through strategic international partnerships. Taiwan International Ports Corp. (台灣港務股份有限公司), the state-owned enterprise managing the island's major seaports, announced in a press release on Monday (June 30) that its President Wang Chin-Jung (王錦榮) had extended formal invitations to executives of Mitsui Ocean Cruises during his diplomatic visit to Japan in early June, laying groundwork for enhanced maritime tourism cooperation between the two East Asian neighbors.
The Japanese luxury cruise operator has already begun evaluating Taiwan's maritime infrastructure, having concluded an extensive 8-day, 7-night exploratory tour of the island's port facilities on June 29. This comprehensive assessment represents a crucial step toward incorporating multiple Taiwanese destinations into Mitsui's premium cruise itineraries. Company officials emphasized that these expanded sailing routes would serve a dual purpose: offering Japanese tourists new travel experiences while simultaneously strengthening the maritime tourism ties between the neighboring island economies.
Following their comprehensive port assessment, Mitsui Ocean Cruises executives expressed considerable enthusiasm for Taiwan's diverse maritime facilities and confirmed plans to incorporate five key destinations into their premium sailing itineraries: the northern gateway of Keelung Port, the southern industrial hub of Kaohsiung Port, the northeastern harbor of Su'ao Port, the central shipping center at Taichung Port, and the historic Anping Port in Tainan. The Japanese company revealed its flagship vessel — the Mitsui Ocean Fuji (海洋富士號), a medium-sized luxury cruise liner developed by parent company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines — will begin serving East Asian routes in 2025, specifically designed to attract Japan's high-end leisure travel market.
In its strategic vision for Taiwan's maritime tourism sector, Taiwan International Ports Corp. emphasized its ongoing efforts to cultivate partnerships with premier international cruise operators, with Mitsui Ocean Cruises representing a centerpiece of this outreach initiative. The state port authority views these luxury cruise connections as critical to elevating Taiwan's profile within the competitive Asian cruise market, particularly as neighboring destinations vie for high-spending tourists. By securing placement on itineraries operated by prestigious cruise lines, Taiwan aims to position its diverse ports and adjacent attractions as essential destinations for discerning travelers exploring East Asia by sea. ◼