Busan Port to see 46% increase in cruise arrivals by 2027

The Busan Port Authority (BPA) has announced a significant expansion in cruise ship arrivals at the Port of Busan. Following strategic meetings in Miami with major global cruise operators—including MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean Group, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings—the port has finalized plans for 127 arrivals in 2027. This represents a 46% increase compared to the 87 arrivals recorded this year.

Specific growth targets include MSC Cruises increasing its visits from 23 to 37, Royal Caribbean Group expanding from 54 to 74, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings increasing from 10 to 16. The expansion also focuses on attracting luxury brands and increasing 'overnight' stays, where ships dock for more than one night, to boost local tourism.

To support this growth and transition from a mere port of call to a major homeport, the BPA is studying advanced terminal operations. During their visit to Miami, officials inspected high-efficiency baggage handling, automated check-in, and CIQ (Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine) systems to implement similar streamlined processes in Busan.